Conduce con cuidado
/konduθe kon kwidado/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'drive safe' can be translated into Spanish as Conduce con cuidado.
This phrase is used to tell someone to be careful while driving a vehicle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase con cuidado literally means 'with care'.
Which one should you use?
While Conduce con cuidado is the standard way to say this in Spain, the alternative Maneja con cuidado is more common in the Americas.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, Maneja con cuidado is a common alternative to Conduce con cuidado.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address more than one person, use Conduzcan con cuidado.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American regions, manejar is used for any type of steering, whereas in Spain conducir is strictly for vehicles and manejar is for operating machinery or tools.
- The word cuidado is derived from the Latin cōgitātus, which is the same root that gave English the word 'cogitate'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying con cuidado can be extended to a general gesture of affection or worry for a loved one's well-being, not just a warning about traffic.
Examples in context
- ¡Conduce con cuidado, Ana!Drive safely, Ana!
- Conduce con cuidado, por favor.Drive with care, please.
- Mañana conduce con cuidado en la carretera.Tomorrow, drive carefully on the highway.
- Es tarde, así que conduce con cuidado.It is late, so drive carefully.
Example conversation
Sofía is seeing Mateo off as he leaves for a road trip.
- Sofía¡Buen viaje, Mateo!Have a good trip, Mateo!
- MateoGracias, Sofía.Thanks, Sofia.
- SofíaConduce con cuidado.Drive safe.
- MateoLo haré, lo prometo.I will, I promise.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, cuidado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
