cuídate
/kwidate/from spelling rules
In Spanish, cuídate is a way to say "take care" as a goodbye.
Cuídate is used as a warm parting phrase to tell someone to look after themselves. This is distinct from phrases used to warn of immediate physical danger, such as tener cuidado, which means "to be careful" or "to watch out."
Meaning: good-bye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word cuídate is a combination of the reflexive verb cuidar (to care for) and the pronoun te (yourself).
Which one should you use?
While cuídate is a warm way to say goodbye, tener cuidado is used to warn someone of an immediate physical danger or to advise caution.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use cuídate mucho to say "take care." In parts of Central and South America, the affectionate variation Cuídese mucho, mi amor is frequently used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing a group of people, use cuídense.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwidate/
Did you know?
- In many Latin American cultures, adding mi amor or cariño to cuídate is not just for romantic partners, but is a standard way for service workers or elders to show warmth to strangers.
- The root of cuidar shares an ancient origin with the English word 'care', making them distant linguistic cousins.
- The verb cuidar is used not only for people but also for 'guarding' or 'watching' a place, such as cuidar la casa meaning to house-sit.
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 health.Tatoeba #1778415 by Shishir, translation #462488 by lukaszpp
- Cuídate y que tengas un buen día.Take care and have a nice day.This example shows how to use cuídate as part of a friendly greeting.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 shows how to use cuídate in the context of avoiding a cold.Tatoeba #3700416 by SrTortuga, translation #3701788 by Sladey
- ¿Está bien? Cuídese mucho, por favor.Are you okay? Take care, please.
- Les deseo un buen viaje. Cuídense durante su estancia.I wish you a good trip. Take care during your stay.
- Tenga cuidado al cruzar la calle.Take care when crossing the street.
- Procure cuidarse para mantenerse saludable.Take care of yourself to stay healthy.
- Nos vemos mañana. ¡Cuídate mucho!See you tomorrow. Take care!
- Chicos, diviértanse en la fiesta y cuídense.Guys, have fun at the party and take care.
- Ten cuidado al conducir en la lluvia.Be careful when driving in the rain.
- Tienes mucho estrés. Cuídate y tómate un descanso.You're very stressed. Take care of yourself and take a break.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are saying goodbye after a coffee date.
- MateoMe tengo que ir ya.I have to go now.
- LucíaEstá bien, Mateo. Cuídate mucho.That's fine, Mateo. Take care a lot.
- MateoGracias, Lucía. ¡Hasta luego!Thanks, Lucía. See you later!
- Lucía¡Adiós!Goodbye!
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.
