perjudicial
“perjudicial” means “harmful” in Spanish (general negative impact).
harmful
Also: detrimental, damaging
📝 In Action
Fumar es perjudicial para la salud.
A2Smoking is harmful to your health.
El ruido excesivo es perjudicial para los oídos.
B1Excessive noise is damaging to the ears.
Estas medidas son perjudiciales para la economía local.
B2These measures are detrimental to the local economy.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: perjudicial
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most common way to say 'harmful to your health' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'prejudicialis,' which combined 'pre-' (before) and 'judicium' (judgment). It originally described something that happened before a court case that could negatively affect the outcome.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'perjudicial' the same as 'prejuicio'?
They are related! 'Perjudicial' is the adjective (harmful), while 'perjuicio' is the noun (the harm itself). Don't confuse 'prejuicio' (prejudice/bias) with 'perjuicio' (harm).
Does 'perjudicial' change for masculine and feminine nouns?
No! It stays exactly the same. You can say 'un refresco perjudicial' (m) or 'una bebida perjudicial' (f).
Is this word formal?
It is neutral to slightly formal. You will see it in newspapers, on warning labels, and in science classes, but you can also use it in daily life when discussing health.