cuidado al caminar
/kwidado al kaminaɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase 'watch your step' is translated as cuidado al caminar.
The phrase cuidado al caminar is used as a literal warning to prevent someone from tripping or falling while moving.
Which one should you use?
You can use more specific variations. Use Ten cuidado por dónde pisas to say 'Be careful where you step' or Cuida por dónde caminas for 'Watch where you walk'. If you want to point specifically to the ground, ¡Ojo con el piso! means 'Watch out for the floor'.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the person is in immediate danger of falling, you can shorten the phrase to just ¡Cuidado! to provide a more urgent warning, which means 'Watch out!'
Did you know?
- The word caminar evolved from the Gaulish word kammanbor before entering Latin as cammīnus and eventually becoming Spanish.
- While cuidado is used for physical safety, it is also used in ten cuidado to warn someone about a social or professional risk, similar to the English 'tread carefully'.
- Spanish speakers often use the phrase ten cuidado as a general warning, meaning 'have care' rather than 'be careful'.
Examples in context
- Ten cuidado por dónde pisas en la calle.Watch where you step on the street.
- Ten cuidado al caminar por la nieve.Watch your step while walking through the snow.
- Mucho cuidado al caminar por el barro.Be very careful walking through the mud.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are walking through a park with uneven ground.
- MaríaAlejandro, ten cuidado al caminar por el parque.Alejandro, watch your step in the park.
- AlejandroGracias, María, el suelo está muy irregular.Thanks, María, the ground is very uneven.
- MaríaSí, hay muchas raíces de árboles.Yes, there are many tree roots.
- AlejandroLo tendré en cuenta, gracias.I will keep that in mind, thanks.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caminar, cuidado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
