perjudicar

to be detrimental to

perjudicar(pehr-hoo-dee-kahr)

transitive verb

1. (to jeopardize)

a. to be detrimental to

Tanto trabajo puede perjudicar tu rendimiento.

Too much work can be detrimental to your performance.

b. to damage

María rechaza conceder cualquier entrevista que pueda perjudicar su carrera.

María refuses any interview that can damage her career.

c. to harm

El médico dijo que comer tanta comida alta en grasas perjudicará tu corazón.

The doctor said that eating too much high-fat food will harm your heart.

2. (to speak ill of)

a. to slander

No la perjudiques si no tienes pruebas de lo que dices.

Don't slander her if you have no proof of what you're saying.

b. to malign

No se debe perjudicar a sus mayores; hay que enseñarles respeto.

You shouldn't malign your elders. You should show them respect.

3.

(colloquial)

(to deflower)

(Colombia)

(El Salvador)

(Panama)

(Paraguay)

(Peru)

a. to have one's way with

(colloquial)

Ella lo atacó con spray de pimienta antes de que pudiera perjudicarla.

She attacked him with pepper spray before he could have his way with her.

perjudicarse

reflexive verb

4. (to exacerbate for oneself)

a. to make things worse

Al hablar mal de tus compañeros, solo te perjudicas a ti mismo.

By speaking ill of your colleagues, you are only making things worse for yourself.