How to Say "Take Care Of" in Spanish

cuidar

/kwiˈdaɾ/

The English phrase 'take care of' is translated into Spanish as cuidar.

Cuidar is used for both physical care (like a baby or a patient) and for looking after objects or responsibilities.

Meaning: look after (verb)

Which one should you use?

While cuidar means to look after someone or something, cuidarse (the reflexive form) means 'to take care of oneself' or 'to be careful'.

In Spain, "Take care of yourself" is commonly expressed as Cuídate or Ten cuidado.

The verb cuidar can be used with or without the preposition de to mean 'to take care of'.

/kwiˈdaɾ/

The verb cuidar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'cogitate'.
In some Latin American countries, cuidar is used colloquially to mean 'to watch' or 'to keep an eye on' a physical spot, such as cuida mi lugar to 'save my seat'.
Spanish distinguishes between cuidar, which is the act of looking after, and atender, which is more about providing professional or medical attention. A doctor might atender a patient, but a parent will cuidar them.

Puedo cuidar de Tom.
I can take care of Tom.
This sentence demonstrates using cuidar to express the ability to take care of someone.
Tatoeba #2409276 by Shishir, translation #2301356 by CK
Sé cuidar de mí mismo.
I can take care of myself.
This sentence shows how to use cuidar regarding oneself.
Tatoeba #1876036 by Shishir, translation #1871856 by Spamster
¿Quién cuidará al bebé?
Who will take care of the baby?
This sentence uses cuidar in a question about looking after a baby.
Tatoeba #1426389 by marcelostockle, translation #276209 by CK
Cuide de sí misma, señora Martínez.
Take care of yourself, Mrs. Martinez.
92 more sentences on Tatoeba

Elena and Alejandro are discussing pet sitting.

Sources

Wiktionary, “take care of” translations and entries cuidar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuidar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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