prejuízo

The Portuguese word prejuízo is a fundamental noun that every learner must master, primarily because it serves as a common 'false friend' for English speakers. While it looks like the English word 'prejudice,' its primary meaning in everyday Portuguese is loss, damage, or harm. In a financial context, it specifically refers to a monetary loss—the opposite of lucro (profit). Understanding this word is crucial because it appears in everything from business reports and news broadcasts to casual conversations about a broken phone or a bad investment. The word is deeply rooted in the concept of something being taken away or a value being diminished. When a business spends more than it earns, it is 'no prejuízo' (in the red). When a person makes a decision that negatively impacts their health, they are causing 'prejuízo à saúde'. This versatility makes it one of the most high-frequency nouns in the Portuguese language across all Lusophone countries, including Brazil, Portugal, and Angola.

Financial Loss

The most common usage referring to the deficit between income and expenses. If you buy a car for 10,000 and sell it for 8,000, you have a prejuízo of 2,000.

Physical or Moral Damage

Beyond money, it refers to harm done to an object, a reputation, or a person's well-being. It is often used in legal contexts to describe 'damages'.

In administrative and legal Portuguese, 'prejuízo' also carries the weight of 'detriment'. You might see the phrase 'sem prejuízo de', which translates to 'without prejudice to' or 'notwithstanding'. This indicates that one rule or action does not invalidate another. For example, a student might be punished for cheating 'sem prejuízo de' (without excluding) further legal action if the cheating involved identity theft. This formal layer of the word is essential for anyone dealing with contracts, official documents, or academic writing in Portuguese. Furthermore, the word appears in many idiomatic expressions. If someone says 'fiquei no prejuízo', they feel cheated or unfairly burdened by a cost or a situation. It implies a sense of injustice or bad luck in a transaction. The emotional weight of 'prejuízo' can vary from a minor annoyance (losing a few cents) to a catastrophic life event (losing a home). Because of this range, the word is indispensable for expressing negative outcomes in both objective and subjective terms.

Legal Context

In law, 'perdas e prejuízos' is the standard term for 'losses and damages', used when seeking compensation in court for a breach of contract or injury.

Using prejuízo correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a masculine noun and the specific verbs it typically pairs with. The most common verb constructions are 'ter prejuízo' (to have/suffer a loss), 'dar prejuízo' (to cause/result in a loss), and 'arcar com o prejuízo' (to bear/pay for the loss). When you 'têm um prejuízo', you are the victim of the loss. When something 'dá prejuízo', it is the source of the loss. For example, a car that needs constant repairs 'dá prejuízo'. If you are the owner of that car, you 'tem prejuízo'. This distinction is subtle but important for sounding natural. In Portuguese, we often use the indefinite article 'um' before 'prejuízo' when describing a specific instance, or the definite article 'o' when referring to the concept or a specific known loss. The plural form is 'prejuízos', and it is frequently used to describe cumulative damages or multiple types of harm resulting from a single event.

With the verb 'Ter' (To have)

Used to describe the person or entity experiencing the loss. 'Eu tive um prejuízo enorme com aquela ação na bolsa'.

With the verb 'Dar' (To give/cause)

Used when an object or investment is unprofitable. 'Este negócio só dá prejuízo'.

Another sophisticated way to use 'prejuízo' is in the prepositional phrase 'em prejuízo de'. This is often used to indicate that one thing is happening at the expense of another. For instance, 'Ele trabalha demais em prejuízo de sua vida familiar' (He works too much at the expense of his family life). This usage is common in more formal contexts, such as sociology, law, or high-level business discussions. It highlights a trade-off where the gain in one area causes a 'prejuízo' in another. Additionally, the word can be modified by adjectives to specify the type of loss: 'prejuízo material' (physical/tangible loss), 'prejuízo moral' (emotional/reputational harm), or 'prejuízo financeiro' (monetary loss). In daily life, you might hear people use the word hyperbolically. If someone drops their ice cream, they might jokingly say, 'Que prejuízo!', though this is more common when the loss is significant enough to be felt. In Brazil, 'ficar no prejuízo' is the go-to expression for when you end up paying for someone else's mistake or when a situation leaves you worse off than before.

With the verb 'Arcar' (To bear)

Used when someone has to take responsibility for the loss. 'Quem vai arcar com o prejuízo do vidro quebrado?'.

You will encounter prejuízo in a wide array of environments, ranging from the sterile boardrooms of São Paulo to the bustling street markets of Luanda. Its most frequent appearance is in financial news. Whenever a major company releases its quarterly results, the headlines will either shout about 'lucro' (profit) or 'prejuízo' (loss). For example, 'Petrobras registra prejuízo no terceiro trimestre'. In this context, it is a technical term used to describe a negative bottom line. If you are interested in economics or business in the Portuguese-speaking world, this is a word you will see daily. It is also common in legal news, where lawyers discuss 'danos e prejuízos' in lawsuits involving accidents, breach of contract, or defamation. In these cases, the word takes on a more formal, serious tone, often associated with seeking justice or compensation for a wrong committed.

News and Media

Headlines often use 'prejuízo' to report on economic downturns, natural disasters, or failed government projects.

Everyday Conversations

People use it to complain about bad luck or poor quality services that cost them money or time.

In the workplace, you might hear a manager say, 'Precisamos reduzir os prejuízos operacionais' (We need to reduce operational losses). Here, it refers to inefficiencies or waste within a system. In a more personal setting, like a group of friends splitting a bill, if one person forgets to pay their share, the others might say, 'Não vamos ficar no prejuízo por causa dele' (We aren't going to be left with the loss because of him). The word also appears in health contexts. Doctors might warn patients about 'prejuízos à audição' (damage to hearing) caused by loud noises or 'prejuízos ao fígado' (damage to the liver) caused by excessive alcohol consumption. This highlights that 'prejuízo' isn't just about wallets; it's about the integrity of any system, whether biological or financial. Finally, in religious or moral discourses, 'prejuízo da alma' (harm to the soul) is a phrase used to describe the negative effects of certain behaviors. The word’s ability to transition from the extremely literal to the deeply metaphorical is a testament to its importance in the language.

Customer Service

Used when discussing refunds or compensation for faulty products.

The absolute most common mistake for English speakers is treating prejuízo as a cognate for 'prejudice'. In English, 'prejudice' refers to a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience, often directed at a specific group of people. In Portuguese, that concept is expressed by the word preconceito. If you say, 'Eu sofro de prejuízo', a Portuguese speaker will think you are losing money, not that you are experiencing discrimination. This confusion can lead to very awkward or confusing situations in conversation. Another common error is using the word 'perda' (loss) and 'prejuízo' interchangeably in all contexts. While they are synonyms, 'perda' is more general (losing your keys, losing a game, losing a loved one), whereas 'prejuízo' usually implies a negative impact on value, health, or a specific financial deficit. You 'perde' (lose) a game, but you 'tem prejuízo' (suffer a loss) on an investment.

The False Friend Trap

Confusing 'prejuízo' (loss/harm) with 'preconceito' (prejudice/bias). This is the #1 error for English speakers.

Gender Errors

Using 'a prejuízo' instead of 'o prejuízo'. It is a masculine noun despite ending in 'o', which usually makes it easy, but learners sometimes get confused by related feminine concepts like 'a perda'.

Learners also struggle with the preposition that follows 'prejuízo' when describing harm to something. The correct preposition is usually 'a' or 'para'. For example: 'prejuízo à saúde' or 'prejuízo para a economia'. Using 'de' in this context (e.g., 'prejuízo da saúde') can sometimes change the meaning to 'the health's loss' rather than 'harm to health'. Another mistake is overusing 'prejuízo' for very minor things where 'dano' or 'estrago' might be more appropriate. While 'prejuízo' is flexible, calling a small scratch on a pencil a 'prejuízo' might sound overly dramatic. Use 'prejuízo' when there is a measurable or significant negative impact. Finally, in the plural, remember the accent: 'prejuízos'. Some learners forget the 'í' accent, which is vital for the correct pronunciation of the hiatus (the separation of the 'u' and 'i' sounds). Without the accent, the pronunciation would shift incorrectly. Mastering these nuances will elevate your Portuguese from basic to proficient.

Confusion with 'Prejudicar'

Some learners try to use 'prejuízo' as a verb. Remember that 'prejuízo' is the noun, and 'prejudicar' is the verb. You don't 'prejuízo' someone; you 'prejudica' someone.

To truly master Portuguese, you need to know when to use prejuízo and when to opt for one of its many synonyms or related terms. The most direct synonym is perda (loss). While 'prejuízo' often has a financial or harmful connotation, 'perda' is the general act of no longer possessing something. Another close relative is dano (damage). 'Dano' is specifically used for physical destruction or legal injury. If you crash your car, you have 'danos materiais' (material damage) which results in a 'prejuízo financeiro' (financial loss). Then there is detrimento (detriment), a more formal word used to describe something done at the cost of something else. Understanding these nuances allows you to be more precise in your speech and writing. For instance, in a formal report, you might use 'detrimento', but in a casual chat about a bad sandwich, you'd use 'prejuízo'.

Prejuízo vs. Perda

'Perda' is the general term for losing something (keys, time, a game). 'Prejuízo' is the negative impact or financial deficit resulting from a situation.

Prejuízo vs. Dano

'Dano' is usually physical or structural. 'Prejuízo' is the consequence, often financial, of that damage.

Other words include estrago, which is very common in Brazil to describe physical mess or damage (e.g., 'A chuva fez um estrago na rua'). Quebra is often used in business to describe a 'break' or a sudden loss in stock or revenue. In legal terms, you might also see agravo, which refers to a grievance or a legal injury. For English speakers, it is vital to remember that bias and prejudice translate to viés and preconceito respectively. Never swap these with 'prejuízo'. By building a web of these related terms, you can navigate complex conversations about business, law, and personal setbacks with confidence. You'll know that if you lose your wallet, it's a 'perda', but the money inside is your 'prejuízo'. If someone hits your car, the dent is the 'dano', and the repair cost is the 'prejuízo'. This level of precision is what separates a student from a speaker.

Prejuízo vs. Mal

'Mal' is a general 'evil' or 'harm'. 'Prejuízo' is more specific and usually implies a loss of something valuable.