осторожно
ostoróžno[ɐstɐˈroʐnə]
To say "be careful" in Russian, the default form is осторожно (ostoróžno).
The adverb осторожно is used as a standalone exclamation to warn someone of immediate danger, similar to 'Watch out!' or 'Careful!' in English. However, if you are describing a person's cautious behavior or a state of being, you would use the adjective form instead.
Which one should you use?
Use осторожно as a sudden warning for physical danger, whereas быть осторожным describes a person's cautious character or behavior.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say 'to be careful' as a state of being (e.g., 'I want to be careful'), you use the adjective осторожный rather than the adverb осторожно.
How do you pronounce it?
ostoróžno
Did you know?
- When warning someone about a fragile object, a Russian speaker is more likely to use аккуратно than осторожно.
- If a Russian speaker wants to warn you about a sudden, immediate trip or fall, they might use берегись instead of осторожно.
- If you want to tell someone 'be careful' in a way that implies 'take care of yourself' when they are leaving, you would say береги себя instead of using осторожно.
Examples in context
- Я хочу быть осторожной.I want to be careful.This sentence shows how to express the desire to be a cautious person using the adjective form of осторожно.Tatoeba #4853513 by venticello, translation #2011562 by CK
- Осторожно, в полу дыра.Be careful. There's a hole in the floor.This sentence demonstrates using осторожно as a sudden warning regarding a physical hazard.Tatoeba #5278064 by odexed, translation #2264729 by _undertoad
- Вам надо быть осторожной.You need to be careful.This sentence shows a way to express the necessity of being a cautious person.Tatoeba #3038725 by marafon, translation #2020560 by Spamster
- Будьте осторожныBe careful
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergei is carrying a heavy, unstable box into the house.
- Екатерина EkaterinaОсторожно, Сергей, коробка слишком большая!Ostorozhno, Sergei, korobka slishkom bol'shaya!Be careful, Sergei, the box is too big!
- Сергей SergeyЯ справлюсь, Екатерина.Ya spravlyus', Ekaterina.I can manage, Ekaterina.
- Екатерина EkaterinaОсторожно, ты можешь споткнуться.Ostorozhno, ty mozhesh' spotknut'sya.Be careful, you might trip.
- Сергей SergeyСпасибо за предупреждение.Spasibo za preduprezhdeniye.Thanks for the warning.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry осторожно, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
