peligro
/peˈliɡɾo/
The English phrase 'hazard' is translated into Spanish as peligro.
peligro refers to the chance of suffering harm. While it specifically denotes a hazard, it is also used broadly to mean the general concept of 'danger'.
Meaning: the chance of suffering harm (noun)
Which one should you use?
In a formal context, you may encounter the term riesgo to denote a hazard.
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about multiple hazards, use the plural form peligros. The word can also be used as an interjection, ¡Peligro!, to warn someone of immediate danger.
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈliɡɾo/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a common idiom salvar el cuello, which literally means 'to save the neck', used when someone narrowly escapes a peligro.
- The Latin root of peligro, perīculum, originally referred to a trial or a test. This suggests that 'danger' was once viewed as a way of testing one's strength or fate.
- The word peligro evolved from the Old Spanish periglo. Over time, the 'l' and 'g' sounds swapped positions, a linguistic process called metathesis.
Examples in context
- Esto es un peligro para tu salud.This is a hazard to your health.This sentence is useful for showing how to express that something is a hazard to one's health using peligro.Tatoeba #630363 by BraveSentry, translation #55988 by CK
- Evalúa los riesgos antes de procederAssess the hazards before proceeding
- Me dieron una jalada de orejas sobre los peligros del lugarI received a warning about the hazards of the place
- El hielo en la carretera es un peligro.The ice on the road is a hazard.
- No camines por allí, es un peligro.Don't walk through there, it is a hazard.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are walking through a construction site.
- LucíaTen cuidado, Daniel, hay un peligro aquí.Be careful, Daniel, there is a hazard here.
- Daniel¿Dónde está el peligro exactamente?Where exactly is the hazard?
- LucíaMira esos cables sueltos en el suelo.Look at those loose cables on the floor.
- DanielGracias por avisarme, Lucía.Thanks for letting me know, Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry peligro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries peligro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
