dañar
“dañar” means “to damage” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to damage, to break
Also: to spoil
📝 In Action
El agua puede dañar el teléfono.
A1Water can damage the phone.
El granizo dañó el techo de la casa.
A2The hail damaged the roof of the house.
Ten cuidado de no dañar la pintura.
B1Be careful not to damage the paint.
to harm
Also: to undermine
📝 In Action
Fumar daña la salud.
A2Smoking harms your health.
Ese comentario puede dañar su reputación.
B1That comment can harm his reputation.
La crisis dañó seriamente la economía.
B2The crisis seriously harmed the economy.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "dañar" in Spanish:
to spoil→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: dañar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence means 'Smoking harms your health'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'damnāre', which meant 'to condemn' or 'to cause loss'. It shares the same root as the English words 'damage' and 'damn'.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'dañar' and 'lastimar'?
'Dañar' is usually for objects (breaking a phone) or abstract things (harming a reputation). 'Lastimar' is specifically for causing physical pain or injury to a person or animal.
Is 'dañar' used for 'hurting someone's feelings'?
Yes, you can use 'dañar' for feelings or a person's image, but 'herir' (to wound) is more common for deep emotional pain.
Can I use 'dañar' for food that has gone bad?
Yes, in many Latin American countries, people say 'la comida se dañó' to mean the food spoiled or went off.