Portuguese Phrase

Não estragues a propriedade.

/nãw esˈtɾa.ɡis a pɾo.pɾi.eˈda.dʒi/

Meaning"Don't damage the property."

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Meaning

A firm but polite warning meaning ‘Don’t damage the property.’ It can refer to physical damage (e.g., breaking furniture) or to treating something with disrespect.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you want to remind a guest, a tenant, a colleague, or a child not to cause any harm to a place or object that belongs to someone else – for example in a rental house, a hotel room, a shared workspace, or a museum.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Nãoestraguesapropriedade.

Negação (Não)

‘Não’ precede the verb to make a negative command. It works with the subjunctive form of the verb.

Imperativo Negativo

In Portuguese, a negative command uses the present subjunctive (estragues) rather than the affirmative imperative (estraga).

Verbo ‘estragar’

‘Estragar’ means ‘to ruin, to damage, to spoil’. In the negative imperative it becomes ‘estragues’ (2nd‑person singular).

Artigo Definido (a)

The feminine singular article ‘a’ agrees with the noun ‘propriedade’.

Substantivo ‘propriedade’

Means ‘property, belongings, estate’. It is a feminine noun, hence the article ‘a’.

🗨In Conversation

Não estragues a propriedade.

Don't damage the property.

Desculpe, vou ter mais cuidado.

Sorry, I'll be more careful.

✕Common Mistakes

Não estragar a propriedade.
The infinitive cannot be used in a command. The negative imperative requires the present subjunctive form ‘estragues’.
Não estrague a propriedade.
‘Estrague’ is the 3rd‑person singular subjunctive, used for formal ‘you’ (você) or third‑person commands. For informal ‘tu’, use ‘estragues’.

↔Alternatives

Não danifique a propriedade.
Don't damage the property.
Não cause danos à propriedade.
Don't cause damage to the property.
Cuide da propriedade.
Take care of the property.

Cultural Tip

In Brazil and Portugal, respecting other people's belongings is a sign of good manners. When speaking to strangers or in formal settings, you might add ‘por favor’ after the command: ‘Não estragues a propriedade, por favor.’ In informal contexts among friends, the plain negative imperative is enough.