Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Take Care in Spanish
Cuídate · verb · KWEE-dah-teh
The Spanish phrase for take care is 'cuídate,' the informal imperative of the reflexive verb 'cuidarse.' It is commonly used when saying goodbye to wish someone well. For formal situations, 'cuídese' is the appropriate form.
Pronounce 'cuídate' as KWEE-dah-teh. The accent falls on the first syllable, and the 'd' is soft, almost like the English 'th.'
¡Cuídate mucho! Nos vemos pronto.
Take care! See you soon.
take care in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for take care, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cuídate | take care | KWEE-dah-teh | Default, widely understood |
| cuídese | take care | formal (usted) | |
| ten cuidado | take care | be careful |
How Native Speakers Use Cuídate
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Saying goodbye
Adiós, cuídate mucho.
Goodbye, take care.
A warm farewell to a friend.
Health concern
Estás enfermo, cuídate y descansa.
You're sick, take care and rest.
Showing concern for someone who is ill.
Formal farewell
Fue un placer verlo, cuídese.
It was a pleasure seeing you, take care.
A polite goodbye using the formal form.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cuídate
Using 'toma cuidado' as a literal translation
Incorrect: ¡Toma cuidado!
Correct: ¡Cuídate!
Spanish does not say 'toma cuidado' as a farewell. The natural expression is 'cuídate' (reflexive imperative of 'cuidarse').
Confusing 'cuídate' with 'ten cuidado'
Incorrect: Cuídate al cruzar la calle (as a warning).
Correct: Ten cuidado al cruzar la calle.
'Cuídate' is a general farewell meaning 'take care of yourself,' while 'ten cuidado' means 'be careful' and is used for specific warnings.
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Common Questions About take care in Spanish
- Is 'cuídate' only used as a farewell?
- While 'cuídate' is most commonly heard when saying goodbye, it can also be used as genuine advice telling someone to look after themselves, especially when they are going through a difficult time.
- How do I say 'take care of something' in Spanish?
- To take care of a thing or person, use 'cuidar' followed by a direct object, as in 'cuida a tu hermano' (take care of your brother) or 'cuida tus cosas' (take care of your things).
- What is the difference between 'cuídate' and 'cuídese'?
- The difference is formality — 'cuídate' uses the informal 'tú' command for friends and family, while 'cuídese' uses the formal 'usted' command for strangers, elders, or professional settings.