気をつけて
ki o tsukete
In Japanese, the phrase for 'ingat' is 気をつけて (ki o tsukete).
気をつけて is used to tell someone to be careful or to stay safe. It is commonly used when someone is leaving, such as when a friend is departing on a trip or heading home.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'pay attention to your spirit/energy' (ki o tsukete).
Which one should you use?
The phrase お気をつけて uses the honorific prefix 'o' and is used in more formal or respectful social situations. The version 気をつけてね is an informal and friendly way to convey the same meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase a more polite and formal request to be careful, you can add ください to the end to form 気をつけてください.
How do you pronounce it?
ki o tsukete
Did you know?
- When a guest leaves a home, the host may stand at the doorway and say 気をつけて multiple times as the guest walks away, a custom that emphasizes the host's continued care until the guest is out of sight.
- The word 気 'ki' in this phrase refers to a vital energy that Japanese culture believes flows through the body and environment, similar to the concept of 'chi' in Chinese medicine.
- The verb つける 'tsukeru' in this phrase can mean 'to attach' or 'to turn on', implying that one must 'switch on' their awareness to remain safe.
Examples in context
- 気をつけてくださいTake care
- 安全に帰ってくださいPlease go home safely
- 太郎さん、気をつけてねTake care, Tarō
- 気をつけて、旅行を楽しんでください。Take care and enjoy your trip.
- 階段を降りる時は、気をつけて。Kaidan o oriru toki wa, ki o tsukete.Be careful when you go down the stairs.
- 夜道は暗いから、気をつけてね。Yomichi wa kurai kara, ki o tsukete ne.The night road is dark, so please be careful.
- 一人で旅行するなら、気をつけて。Hitori de ryoko suru nara, ki o tsukete.Be careful if you are traveling alone.
Example conversation
Youta is leaving for a trip and Misaki says goodbye.
- 陽太 Yotaもう行くね。行ってきます！Mou iku ne. Ittekimasu!I'm leaving now. I'm off!
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、道中気をつけてね。Youta-kun, douchuu ki o tsukete ne.Youta, please be careful on your way.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。すぐ戻るよ。Arigatou. Sugu modoru yo.Thanks. I'll be back soon.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、またね！Un, mata ne!Okay, see you later!
