What's the difference between 'peligroso' and 'riesgoso'?

While both describe potentially harmful situations, 'peligroso' implies immediate physical danger or threat, whereas 'riesgoso' (more common in Latin America than Spain, where 'arriesgado' is preferred) suggests calculated risk without necessarily implying imminent physical harm.

How do you say 'it's dangerous' as an impersonal statement?

The construction 'es peligroso' followed by an infinitive verb is the standard impersonal form, as in 'es peligroso conducir borracho' (it's dangerous to drive drunk), keeping 'peligroso' in masculine singular since it doesn't modify a specific noun.

What's the noun form of 'peligroso'?

The noun form is 'peligro' (danger), used in common expressions like 'en peligro' (in danger), 'fuera de peligro' (out of danger), and the warning sign '¡Peligro!' that you'll see posted throughout Spanish-speaking countries.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Dangerous in Spanish

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Peligroso · adjective · peh-lee-GROH-soh

The Spanish word for dangerous is 'peligroso,' an adjective derived from the noun 'peligro' (danger). Like most Spanish adjectives, it changes form to match gender and number: peligroso (masculine singular), peligrosa (feminine singular), peligrosos (masculine plural), and peligrosas (feminine plural).

Pronounce it peh-lee-GROH-soh with stress on the third syllable. The 'g' before 'r' creates a consonant cluster that should flow smoothly. Remember that in Spanish, the 'g' before 'o' is a hard g sound, like in 'go.'

Caminar solo de noche por esa zona es peligroso.

Walking alone at night through that area is dangerous.

Dangerous in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for dangerous, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
peligroso	dangerous	peh-lee-GROH-soh	Default, widely understood
riesgoso	dangerous		Latin America

How Native Speakers Use Peligroso

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Warning about a situation

Es peligroso nadar en ese río por las corrientes.

It's dangerous to swim in that river because of the currents.

Issuing a safety warning about a natural hazard.

Describing an animal

Esa serpiente es muy peligrosa, no te acerques.

That snake is very dangerous, don't get close.

Note the feminine form 'peligrosa' agreeing with 'serpiente' (feminine noun).

Discussing a neighborhood

Dicen que ese barrio es peligroso, pero yo nunca he tenido problemas.

They say that neighborhood is dangerous, but I've never had problems.

Casual conversation about perceived safety of an area.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Peligroso

Forgetting gender agreement

Incorrect: La situación es muy peligroso.

Correct: La situación es muy peligrosa.

Since 'situación' is feminine, the adjective must take the feminine form 'peligrosa,' not the masculine 'peligroso.'

Using 'dangeroso' as a false cognate

Incorrect: Este camino es muy dangeroso.

Correct: Este camino es muy peligroso.

The word 'dangeroso' does not exist in Spanish. The correct term is 'peligroso,' derived from 'peligro' (danger), not from the English or French root.

Lock in Dangerous 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 Peligroso used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using peligroso in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Caminar solo de noche por esa zona es peligroso. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Dangerous in Spanish

What's the difference between 'peligroso' and 'riesgoso'?: While both describe potentially harmful situations, 'peligroso' implies immediate physical danger or threat, whereas 'riesgoso' (more common in Latin America than Spain, where 'arriesgado' is preferred) suggests calculated risk without necessarily implying imminent physical harm.
How do you say 'it's dangerous' as an impersonal statement?: The construction 'es peligroso' followed by an infinitive verb is the standard impersonal form, as in 'es peligroso conducir borracho' (it's dangerous to drive drunk), keeping 'peligroso' in masculine singular since it doesn't modify a specific noun.
What's the noun form of 'peligroso'?: The noun form is 'peligro' (danger), used in common expressions like 'en peligro' (in danger), 'fuera de peligro' (out of danger), and the warning sign '¡Peligro!' that you'll see posted throughout Spanish-speaking countries.