Arruinar vs. estragar
In Portuguese, both arruinar and estragar can be translated as to ruin or to spoil, but they have different nuances and contexts where they are commonly used. Understanding these distinctions helps you select the right word for each situation.
Arruinar
B1Arruinar typically refers to destroying or ruining something on a larger or more dramatic scale. It is often used in a figurative sense, implying significant or irreversible damage. This word often applies to abstract ideas (e.g., someone's life, career, or financial situation) or to major structural damage.
A tempestade arruinou a colheita deste ano.
(The storm ruined this year's harvest.)
O escândalo arruinou a carreira do político.
(The scandal ruined the politician's career.)
As más decisões do gestor arruinaram a empresa.
(The manager's bad decisions ruined the company.)
Estragar
A2Estragar generally refers to spoiling or damaging something, often in a less dramatic or less permanent way compared to arruinar. It is commonly used for tangible items (e.g., food, clothing) or situations where the sense of damage or ruin is less extreme.
Deixei o leite fora da geladeira e ele estragou.
(I left the milk out of the fridge, and it spoiled.)
Não brinque com isso, você pode estragar o brinquedo.
(Don't play with that, you might ruin the toy.)
A chuva estragou o passeio que tínhamos planejado.
(The rain spoiled the trip we had planned.)
Você está estragando a surpresa contando todos os detalhes!
(You're spoiling the surprise by revealing all the details!)
Summary
While both arruinar and estragar translate to to ruin or to spoil, arruinar is used for large-scale or figurative destruction, often implying catastrophic or irreversible effects. In contrast, estragar is more common in day-to-day contexts and refers to less severe or more tangible types of damage or spoilage. Choosing between these words depends on the severity and nature of the situation being described.