tener cuidado con
/teneɾ kwidado kon/from spelling rules
In Spanish, watch out for is expressed as tener cuidado con.
The phrase tener cuidado con is used to mean being careful or alert to avoid a potential danger or problem. It is the standard way to express watching out for a specific object or person, covering both physical dangers and general caution.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tener (to have), the noun cuidado (care) and the preposition con (with).
Which one should you use?
While tener cuidado con is the standard phrase for watching out for something, if you need to shout a sudden warning to someone in immediate danger, you can simply use the noun ¡Cuidado! instead of the full phrase.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal expression ¡Ojo con! is often used in Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving a direct command or warning to one person informally, you can use the imperative form ten cuidado con. When giving a warning to someone using the formal usted address, use the form tenga cuidado con.
Did you know?
- In certain Spanish-speaking contexts, the way one expresses caution or leaves things to fate is uniquely influenced by the Tagalog word bahala.
- The informal warning ¡Ojo con! literally translates to 'Eye with!', using the word for 'eye' to tell someone to keep a lookout.
- The verb tener in the phrase tener cuidado con comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to stretch or draw'.
Examples in context
- Tienes que tener cuidado con las avalanchas en esta época del año.You have to watch out for avalanches at this time of the year.This sentence is useful for showing how to use tener cuidado con when discussing seasonal hazards like avalanches.Tatoeba #1102827 by pilaf, translation #242061 by CK
- Tenga cuidado con los escalonesWatch out for the steps
- Esté atento a los posibles peligrosBe watchful of potential dangers
- Manténgase alerta frente a los ladronesStay alert to thieves
- ¡Ten cuidado con el agua caliente!Watch out for the hot water!
- ¡Ojo con los autos al cruzar la calle!Watch out for cars when crossing the street!
- Cuídate de los perros callejerosWatch out for stray dogs
- Tengan cuidado con las herramientas afiladasWatch out for sharp tools
- ¡Ten cuidado con el piso mojado!Watch out for the wet floor!
- Debes tener cuidado con el suelo mojado.You should watch out for the wet floor.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofia are walking through a park with a slippery path.
- MateoSofía, tienes que tener cuidado con el barro.Sofia, you have to watch out for the mud.
- SofíaGracias, Mateo. No lo había visto.Thanks, Mateo. I hadn't seen it.
- MateoEs muy resbaladizo por aquí.It's very slippery around here.
- SofíaVoy a caminar más despacio.I'm going to walk slower.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, cuidado, tener, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
