perjudicar
verbCEFR B2
What does “perjudicar” mean in English?
to harm, to damage
to harm, to damage (perjudicar a alguien/algo — cause negative consequences to something or someone)
Example sentences
Las continuas interrupciones en el trabajo perjudican el rendimiento del equipo y elevan el estrés.
Constant interruptions at work harm team performance and raise stress levels.
El nuevo impuesto perjudicará especialmente a las pequeñas empresas que operan con márgenes reducidos.
The new tax will particularly harm small businesses operating on tight margins.
Fumar no solo perjudica la salud del fumador, sino también la de las personas que le rodean.
Smoking not only harms the smoker's health, but also that of those around them.
How to use it
Perjudicar means 'to harm', 'to damage', or 'to be detrimental to'. It takes a + person or a direct noun: perjudicar a alguien (harm someone), perjudicar los intereses (harm interests), perjudicar el rendimiento (damage performance). At B2, it is the standard formal verb for negative consequences in policy, health, workplace, and legal contexts. Don't confuse with dañar (damage — more physical) or deteriorar (deteriorate — implies gradual worsening).
Common mistake
Perjudicar (harm — with negative consequences) vs. dañar (damage — more physical or direct injury). 'El accidente dañó el vehículo' (the accident damaged the vehicle — physical); 'el accidente perjudicó su carrera' (the accident harmed his career — abstract consequence). At B2, perjudicar dominates in formal, abstract contexts.