cuídate
/kwidate/from spelling rules
In Spanish, cuídate is used to say "take care".
cuídate is used as a warm way to say good-bye. It should not be confused with phrases meant to warn someone of immediate danger, such as tener cuidado, which is used to tell someone to be cautious of a specific hazard.
Meaning: good-bye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a combination of the imperative verb cuida (care/take care of) and the reflexive pronoun te (yourself), literally meaning "care yourself".
Which one should you use?
While cuídate serves as a friendly parting remark, the phrase tener cuidado is used specifically to warn someone to be cautious or mindful of a potential danger.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a single person formally, use cuídese. To address a group of people, use the plural form cuídense.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwidate/
Did you know?
- If you are speaking to a group of friends in Spain, you would use cuidaos instead of the Latin American cuídense.
- Using the formal cuídese with a close friend or family member can be perceived as a sarcastic way of creating emotional distance during an argument.
- The verb cuidar is also used for 'babysitting', meaning a person who looks after children is called a cuidador.
Examples in context
- Cuídate. No te pongas enfermo.Take care of yourself. Don't get sick.This example shows how to use cuídate when wishing someone does not get sick.Tatoeba #1778415 by Shishir, translation #462488 by lukaszpp
- Cuídate y que tengas un buen día.Take care and have a nice day.This sentence demonstrates using cuídate as part of a friendly parting wish.Tatoeba #1617834 by marcelostockle, translation #1617777 by Spamster
- Se está poniendo helado. ¡Cuídate, para que no te resfríes!It's getting chilly. Take care that you don't catch a cold.This example uses cuídate to advise someone to take care so they do not catch a cold.Tatoeba #3700416 by SrTortuga, translation #3701788 by Sladey
- Espero que se encuentre bien. CuídeseI hope you are well. Take care
- Queridos miembros del comité, cuídense durante su viajeDear committee members, take care during your trip
- ¡Buen viaje! Cuídate muchoHave a good trip! Take care
- Amigos, cuídense en la fiesta de mañanaFriends, take care at tomorrow's party
- ¡Nos vemos pronto! Cuídate y disfruta del conciertoSee you soon! Take care and enjoy the concert
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are saying goodbye after meeting for coffee.
- DanielFue un gusto verte, María.It was nice seeing you, María.
- MaríaIgualmente, Daniel. ¡Hasta la próxima!Likewise, Daniel. Until next time!
- DanielAdiós, cuídate mucho.Goodbye, take care a lot.
- MaríaGracias, tú también.Thanks, you too.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
