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"Ruin" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "arruinar", and "harm" is a noun which is often translated as "el daño". Learn more about the difference between "ruin" and "harm" below.
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.
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harm(
harm
)
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 harm caused by the chemical spill is horrifying.El daño causado por el derrame de sustancias químicas es horroroso.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. dañar
The oil spill harmed this fragile ecosystem.El derrame de petróleo daño este frágil ecosistema.
b. lastimar
I would never harm an unarmed man.Nunca lastimaría a un hombre indefenso.
c. hacer daño
This vaccination won't harm you at all.Esta vacuna no te hará daño alguno.
d. perjudicar
The scandal has harmed his chances for reelection.El escándalo ha perjudicado sus posibilidades de ser reelegido.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.