Perjudicando

Perjudicando is the gerund form of the Spanish verb perjudicar, which means "to harm, damage, or disadvantage." The verb itself derives from Latin per- “through” and jūdicāre “to judge,” reflecting the notion of judging or deciding in a negative way. Perjudicar is transitive, requiring a direct object; for example, “El uso excesivo de pantalla perjudica la salud ocular” (Excessive screen use harms eye health). Hence, perjudicando functions as a continuous action: “El uso excesivo está perjudicando la salud ocular” (Excessive use is damaging the eye health).

In common usage, perjudicando often appears in contexts involving health, environment, or economic conditions. It can be paired with adjectives to intensify the damage, such as “severamente perjudicando” or “gradualmente perjudicando.” The language of social media and public health campaigns frequently uses this form to warn against ongoing harmful behaviors or policies.

The word is frequently contrasted with “beneficiando,” the positive gerund of beneficiar, emphasizing the dual nature of actions that can either help or harm. In literature, the term often carries a moral connotation, suggesting that the speaker is evaluating the ethical impact of a behavior.

Perjudicando can also appear in informal contexts, sometimes as slang to describe a negative effect that is perceived as inevitable or beyond the speaker’s control, e.g., “La crisis económica está perjudicando a muchas familias.” In all cases, the form maintains a neutral, factual tone, thereby serving as a useful verb in both academic and everyday Spanish.