daño cosmético
/daɲo kosmetiko/from spelling rules
daño cosmético is the Spanish phrase for cosmetic damage.
This phrase is used to describe damage that affects the appearance of an object without impacting its actual function.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter daño estético in formal contexts. You can also use the formal expression daño superficial when specifically referring to damage that only affects the surface or appearance of an object.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun daño and the adjective cosmético must take the plural suffix -s, resulting in daños cosméticos. Since daño is a masculine noun, the adjective must agree in gender and be cosmético.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the feminine form daño cosmética. Because daño is a masculine noun, the adjective must be the masculine cosmético to ensure correct gender agreement.
Did you know?
- The word daño shares a common ancestor with the English word 'damage', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *dh₂pnom, which originally referred to 'expense' or 'investment'.
- While English speakers often use 'cosmetic' to describe makeup, using cosmético in Spanish to describe an object's flaw can sometimes sound like a direct translation from English, often called a 'calque'.
Examples in context
- El producto tiene un daño estético en el embalaje.The product has cosmetic damage to the packaging.
- El vehículo tiene algunos daños superficiales en la pintura.The vehicle has some cosmetic damage to the paint.
- ¡Mira el rayón que le hiciste a mi teléfono!Look at the scratch you made on my phone!
- El mueble tiene un golpecito en la esquina.The furniture has a small dent in the corner.
- Ese rayón es solo un daño cosmético.That scratch is only cosmetic damage.
- No me importa el daño cosmético del teléfono.I do not care about the cosmetic damage to the phone.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are looking at a used table they want to buy.
- JavierMira este rayón en la madera, Elena.Look at this scratch in the wood, Elena.
- ElenaParece que es solo un daño cosmético.It looks like it is just cosmetic damage.
- JavierTienes razón, la mesa sigue siendo muy estable.You are right, the table is still very stable.
- ElenaEntonces vamos a comprarla ahora mismo.Then let's buy it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cosmético, daño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
