cuídate
/kwidate/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "take care of yourself" is said as cuídate.
This phrase is a friendly way to say goodbye while wishing someone well and reminding them to stay healthy and safe. You can intensify the sentiment by adding mucho to the end, creating cuídate mucho.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cuídate is a combination of the imperative verb cuida (take care) and the reflexive pronoun te (yourself).
Which one should you use?
Cuídate is the informal singular form used when addressing one person you know well. If you are addressing a group of people, you should use cuídense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people often use cuídate mucho to express take care of yourself. In Argentina, it is typical to hear tené cuidado, which means be careful.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to someone you address as usted, use cuídese instead of cuídate. To address a group, use cuídense.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwidate/
Did you know?
- The verb cuidar is the root for the word cuidadoso, which means 'careful' and is a cognitive relative of the English word 'custodian'.
- The phrase cuídate is often accompanied by a light touch on the arm or a hug in Latin American cultures to reinforce the sincerity of the wish.
- The spelling of cuídate includes an accent on the 'i' to ensure the stress remains on the penultimate syllable, preventing it from being pronounced as a different word structure.
Examples in context
- Cuídate. No te pongas enfermo.Take care of yourself. Don't get sick.This sentence shows how to use cuídate to wish someone health.Tatoeba #1778415 by Shishir, translation #462488 by lukaszpp
- Cuídate.Take care of yourself.This is a simple way to use cuídate as a parting phrase.Tatoeba #561873 by Shishir, translation #64257 by CK
- Cuídate, por favor.Please take care of yourself.This demonstrates adding a polite request to cuídate.Tatoeba #1016849 by Shishir, translation #38550 by CK
- La reunión es mañana. Cuídese y nos vemos pronto.The meeting is tomorrow. Take care of yourself and see you soon.
- Hasta luego, hermano. Cuídate mucho.See you later, brother. Take good care of yourself.
- Nos vemos mañana. Cuídate mucho y no te olvides de descansar.See you tomorrow. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to rest.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are saying goodbye at the airport.
- MateoHa sido un viaje increíble, Elena.It has been an incredible trip, Elena.
- ElenaSí, pero ahora debo volver a casa.Yes, but now I must return home.
- MateoEstá bien. Cuídate mucho en el camino.Alright. Take care of yourself a lot on the way.
- ElenaGracias, Mateo. Tú también cuídate.Thanks, Mateo. You take care 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.
