perigosa

Perigosa is the feminine form of the Portuguese adjective perigoso, meaning dangerous, perilous, or risky. It agrees with feminine nouns and is used to describe things that pose danger or require caution, such as uma estrada perigosa (a dangerous road) or uma situação perigosa (a dangerous situation). It can also describe actions or people perceived as unsafe or risky, always in reference to feminine nouns.

Etymology and related terms: The word perigoso derives from Latin periculosus, from periculum meaning 'danger', and reached Portuguese through the Romance linguistic lineage. The masculine form is perigoso, and the abstract noun is perigo.

Usage notes: Perigosa is common in safety warnings, news reports, and everyday speech. It conveys a concrete risk or threat and can carry figurative meaning in literature or conversation when describing risky ideas or decisions. When referring to people, it can sound accusatory or cautionary, so context and tone are important to avoid misinterpretation.

Cultural and linguistic context: While primarily a descriptive adjective, perigosa can appear in titles, fictional names, or toponyms, where it functions as a proper noun. Such uses are context-dependent and less common in standard descriptive writing.

See also: perigoso, perigo, periculosidade.