proceda con precaución
/pɾoθeda kon pɾekauθjon/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'proceed with caution' is translated into Spanish as proceda con precaución.
What does it mean word for word?
The part con precaución is a prepositional phrase where con means 'with' and precaución means 'caution'.
Which one should you use?
While proceda con precaución implies a warning about potential danger or risks, the alternative proceda con cuidado is a more general instruction to be careful or attentive.
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific phrase andar con pies de plomo, meaning 'to walk with lead feet', which is the idiomatic way to say one must proceed with extreme caution.
- While proceda is the formal imperative, in a high-stress emergency, a Spanish speaker would likely drop the formal conjugation and shout ¡Cuidado!, which functions as a visceral 'Watch out!'
- The word cuidado in proceda con cuidado comes from the verb cuidar, which means 'to take care of' or 'to nurse', linking caution to the act of nurturing.
Examples in context
- Isabel le advirtió a su hermana menor: "Ten cuidado al cruzar la calle"Isabel warned her younger sister, "Be careful when crossing the street."
- Proceda con precaución al caminar por el hielo.Proceed with caution when walking on the ice.
- Proceda con precaución en esta zona de construcción.Proceed with caution in this construction zone.
- Si entra al bosque, proceda con precaución.If you enter the forest, proceed with caution.
Example conversation
Sofía is giving Alejandro instructions for a risky project.
- SofíaAlejandro, el sistema es muy inestable.Alejandro, the system is very unstable.
- Alejandro¿Qué debo hacer entonces?What should I do then?
- SofíaSimplemente proceda con precaución.Simply proceed with caution.
- AlejandroEntendido, lo haré con mucho cuidado.Understood, I will do it very carefully.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
