wees voorzichtig
/ʋeːs ˌvoːrˈzɪx.təx/word by word
To say "be careful" in Dutch, use wees voorzichtig.
Wees voorzichtig is a warning used to advise someone to avoid danger or to prevent them from making a mistake. While this phrase works well for general caution, you may also encounter Pas op! for more common, general warnings or the informal Kijk uit! to tell someone to be careful.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative form of zijn (to be) and the adjective voorzichtig (cautious/careful).
Which one should you use?
Wees voorzichtig is used for providing general caution or advice. In contrast, pas op is used as a more urgent, immediate warning to avoid imminent physical danger, similar to saying "watch out!" in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
Wees voorzichtig is the singular imperative form, used when addressing one person. The adjective voorzichtig can also function as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, such as saying someone walks carefully.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʋeːs ˌvoːrˈzɪx.təx/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The phrase wees voorzichtig is frequently used when saying goodbye to someone who is traveling, acting as a way to say 'safe travels'.
- The word voorzichtig literally means 'looking to the future'. It combines voor meaning 'before' and zicht meaning 'sight' or 'view'.
- In Dutch, the word voorzichtig can be used as an adverb without any change in spelling. You can say someone walks voorzichtig to mean they walk carefully.
Examples in context
- Wees voorzichtig. Het is glad.Be careful. It's slippery.This is useful for warning someone about a slippery surface using wees voorzichtig.Tatoeba #7830231 by MarijnKp, translation #7830074 by CK
- Wees voorzichtig op die rotsen.Be careful on those rocks.This shows how to use wees voorzichtig when advising someone to be careful on rocks.Tatoeba #5802633 by doemaar14, translation #5801953 by Eccles17
- Wees voorzichtig met wat je zegt!Be careful what you say!This illustrates using wees voorzichtig to warn someone to be careful with their words.Tatoeba #1474061 by Citrine, translation #1103331 by supplementfacts
- Alsjeblieft, pas op wanneer je de trap afloopt.Please, be careful when going down the stairs.
- Wees alsjeblieft voorzichtig bij het oversteken van de weg.Please, be careful when crossing the road.
- Kijk uit voor die auto!Watch out for that car!
- Let op de hond, hij kan bijten.Be careful with the dog, it might bite.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is about to carry a heavy stack of boxes through a tight doorway.
- JuliaWees voorzichtig met die dozen, Lucas.Be careful with those boxes, Lucas.
- LucasIk ga het proberen.I will try.
- JuliaDe deur is erg laag.The door is very low.
- LucasBedankt voor de waarschuwing, Julia.Thanks for the warning, Julia.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (wees, voorzichtig) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries voorzichtig, wees, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
