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Preconceito vs. prejuízo

Word practice demo
While both preconceito and prejuízo might remind English speakers of the word prejudice, they are used in very different contexts. Preconceito represents social prejudice (bias), while prejuízo represents concepts of loss, damage, or detriment (legal prejudice).

Preconceito

B2
This is the direct translation of the common English meaning of prejudice. It refers to a preconceived opinion, usually not based on reason or actual experience, often leading to discrimination against people based on race, religion, gender, or social class.
Nós devemos lutar contra todo tipo de preconceito.
(We must fight against every kind of prejudice.)
Ela sofreu preconceito no trabalho por ser mulher.
(She suffered prejudice at work for being a woman.)
O preconceito o impediu de provar a comida estrangeira.
(Prejudice stopped him from trying the foreign food.)
É difícil mudar um preconceito antigo.
(It is difficult to change an old prejudice.)
Eles têm preconceito contra quem não tem faculdade.
(They have a prejudice against those who do not have a college degree.)

Prejuízo

B2
This word generally means loss (especially financial) or damage. It relates to the English word prejudice only in the formal sense of causing detriment or harm to someone's rights or interests. In daily life, it is mostly used to talk about losing money.
A loja teve um grande prejuízo este mês.
(The store had a big financial loss this month.)
Fumar causa sério prejuízo à saúde.
(Smoking causes serious damage to health.)
Isso foi feito sem prejuízo dos seus direitos legais.
(This was done without prejudice to your legal rights.)
Ele me deu um prejuízo ao quebrar meu computador.
(He caused me a loss by breaking my computer.)
O cancelamento do evento resultou em prejuízo para os organizadores.
(The cancellation of the event resulted in a loss for the organizers.)

Summary

To choose the correct word, consider the context: if you mean bias or discrimination, use preconceito. If you mean loss, harm, or detriment (even in legal contexts regarding rights), use prejuízo.