cuídate
/kwidate/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase "take care of yourself" is translated as cuídate.
cuídate is a friendly parting phrase used to wish someone well and encourage them to stay healthy and safe. It is an imperative command used as a warm parting wish, whereas tener cuidado is used to warn someone to be cautious of a specific danger.
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).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Cuídate mucho. is a common way to say "take care of yourself." In Mexico, Cuídate un chingo. is used among friends and translates to "take care a lot." In Argentina, Cuidate mucho. is commonly used to say "take care of yourself."
How does it change in a sentence?
While cuídate is used with friends and family, cuídese is the correct form to use when addressing someone with the formal usted. To tell a group of people to take care of themselves, use the plural form cuídense.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwidate/
Did you know?
- The verb cuidar is a cognate of the English word 'curate', as both derive from the Latin 'curare', meaning to take care of or attend to.
- Because cuídate is an imperative, it is grammatically a 'command', yet it functions socially as a 'wish'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying cuídate is often accompanied by a physical gesture of affection, such as a hug or a kiss on the cheek, especially among family.
Examples in context
- Cuídate. No te pongas enfermo.Take care of yourself. Don't get sick.This sentence shows how to use cuídate when wishing someone doesn't get sick.Tatoeba #1778415 by Shishir, translation #462488 by lukaszpp
- Cuídate.Take care of yourself.This is a simple example of using cuídate as a parting phrase.Tatoeba #561873 by Shishir, translation #64257 by CK
- Cuídate, por favor.Please take care of yourself.This example shows how to use cuídate with the word please.Tatoeba #1016849 by Shishir, translation #38550 by CK
- ¡Cuídate mucho! No te olvides de comer sano y hacer ejercicio regularmente.Take care of yourself! Don't forget to eat healthily and exercise regularly.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are saying goodbye after a coffee date.
- MaríaFue un gusto verte hoy, Javier.It was nice to see you today, Javier.
- JavierIgualmente, María. ¡Nos vemos pronto!Likewise, María. See you soon!
- MaríaAdiós, cuídate mucho.Goodbye, take care of yourself a lot.
- JavierGracias, tú también cuídate.Thanks, you take care of yourself 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.
