気をつけて
ki o tsukete
To say "look out" in Japanese, use 気をつけて (ki o tsukete).
気をつけて is a versatile way to say "look out" or "be careful". While the English "look out" often implies immediate physical danger, 気をつけて is used more broadly for general caution and mindfulness. It can also be used as a parting phrase meaning "take care" or "get home safely".
Meaning: to be vigilant and aware (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the phrase to change its tone and level of politeness. To add emphasis and urge a listener to pay closer attention, you can add よ (yo) at the end of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
ki o tsukete
Did you know?
- While 気をつけて is common, a sudden, urgent 'Look out!' during a physical emergency is often just a loud shout of 危ない! (abunai), which literally means 'dangerous'.
- In Japan, it is common to say 気をつけて to a guest leaving your home, but the guest should not say it back. Instead, they typically say 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu) to apologize for leaving.
- The phrase 気をつけて literally translates to 'attach your spirit' or 'pay your attention'. It suggests that being careful is a matter of focusing your mental energy on the task at hand.
Examples in context
- 岩崩れに気をつけて。Look out for rock slides.This sentence is useful for learning how to warn someone about rock slides using 気をつけて.Tatoeba #183659 by tommy__san, translation #20782 by fcbond
- ご注意ください、車が来ますよ！Look out, a car is coming!
- 気をつけて、そこは滑りやすいですよ。Look out, that place is slippery!
- 車に気をつけてね。kuruma ni ki o tsukete ne.Look out for cars.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are walking near a construction site.
- 結衣 Yui足元に気をつけて。ashimoto ni ki o tsukete.Watch your step.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。ありがとう。wakatta. arigatou.Got it. Thanks.
- 結衣 Yui段差があるから気をつけてね。dansha ga aru kara ki o tsukete ne.There is a step, so be careful.
- 陽太 Yotaうん、大丈夫だよ。un, daijoubu da yo.Yeah, I'm okay.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
