Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Damage in Spanish: Daño
Daño · noun · DAH-nyoh
Daño is the primary Spanish translation for damage, covering physical harm, emotional hurt, and material destruction.
DAH-nyoh
El huracán causó mucho daño en la ciudad.
The hurricane caused a lot of damage in the city.
Damage in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for damage, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| daño | damage | DAH-nyoh | Default, widely understood |
| perjuicio | damage | legal or formal contexts | |
| desperfecto | damage | physical damage to objects |
How Native Speakers Use Daño
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Property damage
El agua causó daño en el techo de la casa.
The water caused damage to the roof of the house.
Reporting home repair needs.
Emotional harm
Sus palabras le hicieron mucho daño.
His words did her a lot of damage.
Discussing emotional impact of hurtful words.
Insurance claim
El seguro cubre los daños causados por el incendio.
The insurance covers the damages caused by the fire.
Filing an insurance claim after an accident.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Daño
Using dañar as a noun
Incorrect: El dañar fue extenso después de la tormenta.
Correct: El daño fue extenso después de la tormenta.
Dañar is the verb form meaning to damage; the noun form is daño.
Forgetting the plural for multiple damages
Incorrect: Los daño fueron evaluados por el perito.
Correct: Los daños fueron evaluados por el perito.
When referring to multiple instances of damage, use the plural form daños with the plural article los.
Lock in Damage Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Daño used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using daño in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El huracán causó mucho daño en la ciudad. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Damage in Spanish
- How do you say 'damage' in Spanish?
- The most common translation is daño, which covers physical, emotional, and material damage in everyday conversation.
- What is the verb form of damage in Spanish?
- The verb is dañar, meaning to damage or to harm — for example, La lluvia dañó los muebles means The rain damaged the furniture.
- When should I use perjuicio instead of daño?
- Perjuicio is preferred in legal and formal contexts, such as daños y perjuicios (damages and losses) in court proceedings, while daño works for everyday situations.