vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Damage" is a noun which is often translated as "el daño", and "ruin" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "arruinar". Learn more about the difference between "damage" and "ruin" below.
damage(
dah
-
mihj
)
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. el daño
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
The damage that the war has caused to the country's infrastructure will take years to repair.El daño que la guerra ha causado a las infraestructuras del país tardará años en repararse.
b. los daños
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
The building sustained extensive damage in the earthquake.El edificio sufrió importantes daños en el terremoto.
a. el daño
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
The rumors have caused damage to my reputation.Los rumores provocaron un daño a mi reputación.
b. el perjuicio
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Floods have caused substantial economic damage this year.Este año, las inundaciones causaron un considerable perjuicio económico.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. dañar
A famous painting was accidentally damaged by a visitor to the museum.Un visitante del museo dañó accidentalmente una pintura famosa.
a. dañar
Poor defending is damaging the team's chances in this game.Una mala defensa está dañando las oportunidades del equipo en este partido.
b. perjudicar
Smoking can damage your health.Fumar puede perjudicar tu salud.
damages
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. los daños y perjuicios
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
The defendant had to pay one million dollars in damages.El demandado tenía que pagar un millón de dólares en daños y perjuicios.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
ruin(
ru
-
ihn
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. arruinar
My washing machine has ruined all my clothes!¡La lavadora me arruinó toda la ropa!
b. echar a perder
Sandra ruined her homework by accidentally spilling coffee on it.Sandra echó a perder su tarea al derramarle café encima por accidente.
c. estropear
The sudden storm ruined our picnic.La tormenta repentina estropeó nuestro picnic.
d. echar por tierra
Cheer up! Don't let this small accident ruin your birthday party.¡Ánimo! No dejes que este pequeño incidente eche por tierra tu fiesta de cumpleaños.
e. destruir
The coat of paint ruined the piano. It is not as loud as it used to be.La mano de pintura destruyó el piano. Ya no suena tan fuerte como antes.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. la perdición
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
His temper is going to be his ruin.Su mal genio va a ser su perdición.
a. la bancarrota
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
The president's policies are leading the country to ruin.Las políticas del presidente están llevando el país a la bancarrota.
ruins
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. las ruinas
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
Last year we visited the ruins of Machu Picchu.El año pasado visitamos las ruinas de Machu Picchu.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.