Injuriar

Injuriar is a verb used in Portuguese and Spanish that denotes the act of insulting, affronting, or injuring someone’s honor or dignity. The range of meaning covers everyday disrespect as well as behavior that can be legally interpreted as an offense against a person’s reputation or dignity.

Etymology and forms: The term derives from Latin injuria, meaning injury or offense, and entered the Romance languages with a similar sense. In both Spanish and Portuguese it is a transitive verb. It is used with a direct object, for example injuriar a alguien in Spanish or injuriar alguém in Portuguese. It is treated as a regular -ar verb in its respective languages, following standard conjugation patterns.

Usage and nuance: In common language, injuriar refers to uttering words or engaging in conduct that harms another person’s honor or esteem. In formal or legal contexts, injuriar is linked to injúria or injurias, terms that describe offenses to dignity or reputation. The severity can range from insult or affront in everyday speech to legally punishable acts depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances.

Legal context: In Brazilian Portuguese, injúria (the noun form) is a crime against honor, distinct from calúnia (false accusation) and difamação (defamation); penalties depend on local statutes. In other Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions and in Spanish-speaking countries, injuriar and its noun forms similarly relate to offenses against honor, with penalties governed by civil or criminal codes. The precise definitions and sanctions vary by country and context.

See also: injúria, injurias, difamação, calúnia, defamation.

Examples: Spanish: El periodista injurió al funcionario durante la rueda de prensa. Portuguese: Ela injuriou o colega com palavras desrespeitosas.