cuídate
/kwidate/from spelling rules
The English phrase "be safe" is translated into Spanish as cuídate.
Spanish speakers use these phrases as a goodbye to tell someone to take care of themselves. While English speakers often use "be safe" specifically for travel or danger, cuídate is a more general, common way to say "take care" in almost any parting context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries like Mexico or Colombia, Ten cuidado is used to mean "be careful" or "be safe."
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "be safe" to a group of people, use the plural form cuídense instead of cuídate.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwidate/
Did you know?
- The verb cuidar comes from the Latin word curare, which is the same root used for the English word 'cure'.
- In some Caribbean dialects, the pronunciation might soften the 'd' in cuídate, making it sound almost like cuíate, which can confuse a learner expecting precise consonants.
- While cuídate is a standard goodbye, adding mucho to the end, as in cuídate mucho, changes the tone from a casual parting to a warm, heartfelt expression of affection.
Examples in context
- Señor García, cuídese mucho durante su viaje.Mr. García, take care during your trip.
- Estimados estudiantes, cuídense en su camino de regreso a casa.Dear students, be safe on your way back home.
- Hasta mañana, cuídate mucho.See you tomorrow, take care.
- Chicos, diviértanse y cuídense durante el viaje.Guys, have fun and take care during the trip.
- ¡Cuídate mucho!Take care!
- ¡Cuídate mucho, nos vemos!Take care of yourself a lot, see you!
- Cuídate mucho en tu viaje.Take good care of yourself on your trip.
- Ya me voy, cuídate.I'm leaving now, take care.
- Adiós, cuídate mucho.Goodbye, take great care of yourself.
Example conversation
Mateo is leaving Sofía's house after a visit.
- MateoBueno, me tengo que ir.Well, I have to go.
- SofíaEstá bien, cuídate mucho, Mateo.Alright, take good care of yourself, Mateo.
- MateoGracias, Sofía. Tú también cuídate.Thanks, Sofía. You take care too.
- Sofía¡Hasta pronto!See you soon!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cuídate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
