A bright, sunny dirt path suddenly ends at the edge of a very deep, dark, open hole, illustrating a hidden hazard or threat.

peligroso

/peh-lee-GRO-so/

dangerous?posing a threat or risk

Also:risky?involving the chance of something bad happening,hazardous?referring to substances or situations,perilous?more formal or literary

📝 In Action

Cuidado, el perro es peligroso.

Be careful, the dog is dangerous.

Conducir con nieve es muy peligroso.

Driving in the snow is very dangerous.

Es una situación peligrosa para la economía del país.

It's a dangerous situation for the country's economy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

arriesgado (risky)
inseguro (unsafe)

Antonyms

seguro (safe)
inofensivo (harmless)

Common Collocations

un animal peligroso – a dangerous animal
un lugar peligroso – a dangerous place
un deporte peligroso – a dangerous sport

💡 Grammar Points

Matching the Noun: `peligroso` vs. `peligrosa`

Like most Spanish describing words, peligroso changes to match the thing it describes. Use peligroso for masculine things (un camino peligroso) and peligrosa for feminine things (una idea peligrosa).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using `ser` vs. `estar`

Mistake: "La calle está peligrosa."

Correction: Use `ser` (es peligroso) for something that is *always* dangerous, part of its nature. Use `estar` (está peligroso) for a *temporary* danger. For example: 'El mar *es* peligroso' (The sea is generally dangerous) vs. 'El mar *está* peligroso hoy' (The sea is dangerous today because of a storm).

⭐ Usage Tips

Beyond Physical Danger

You can use peligroso for more than just physical threats. It can describe a risky idea, a difficult situation, or even a person who might cause emotional trouble.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: peligroso

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence is correct for describing a road that is *always* unsafe?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

peligro(danger) - noun

peligrar(to be in danger) - verb

peligrosamente(dangerously) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between `peligroso` and `arriesgado`?

`Peligroso` focuses on the potential for harm or injury (danger). `Arriesgado` focuses more on the element of risk or chance, like a risky business investment (`una inversión arriesgada`). While they can overlap, `peligroso` usually implies a more direct threat.