ten cuidado
/ten kwidado/from spelling rules
To say "be careful" in Spanish, use ten cuidado.
This phrase is a warning used to tell someone to avoid danger or mistakes. If you want to specify the source of the danger, you can use the preposition con (with) after the phrase, such as ten cuidado con el perro (be careful with the dog).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative form of the verb tener (to have) and the noun cuidado (care).
Which one should you use?
While ten cuidado is a general warning to be cautious, the single word ¡Cuidado! is used as an immediate, urgent exclamation for "Watch out!" or "Look out!" in a sudden danger situation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
When warning a group of people, use the plural imperative tengan cuidado in Latin America or tened cuidado in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the formal usted form when addressing someone with respect or distance, use tenga cuidado instead of ten cuidado.
Did you know?
- The word cuidado shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'cogitate'. This is because the Latin root refers to the mental process of thinking or reflecting before acting.
- If someone says ten cuidado in a sarcastic tone during an argument, it can function as a veiled threat similar to 'watch your step' in English.
- In some dialects, anda con cuidado is used instead of ten cuidado, which literally translates to 'walk with care'.
Examples in context
- Ten cuidado ahí fuera.Be careful out there.This is useful for giving a general warning about being careful in a specific location.Tatoeba #1116370 by Shishir, translation #1112476 by Scott
- Ten cuidado no te quemes.Be careful not to burn yourself.This is useful for warning someone to avoid a specific accident like burning themselves.Tatoeba #2733138 by hantol01, translation #2733126 by CK
- Hey, ten cuidado con eso.Hey, be careful with that!This is useful for warning someone to be careful with a specific object.Tatoeba #5943725 by MrMultilingual, translation #2047636 by CK
- Por favor, tenga cuidado al cruzar la calle.Please be careful when crossing the street.
- ¡Ten cuidado! La sopa está muy caliente.Be careful! The soup is very hot.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are walking in a crowded market.
- LucíaTen cuidado con la gente.Be careful with the people.
- AlejandroEstá bien, gracias por avisarme.It's okay, thanks for letting me know.
- LucíaHay muchos niños corriendo.There are many children running.
- AlejandroLo tendré en cuenta.I'll keep that in mind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuidado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
