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"Be careful" is a form of "be careful", a phrase which is often translated as "ten cuidado". "Care for" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "cuidar a". Learn more about the difference between "be careful" and "care for" below.
be careful(
bi
kehr
-
fuhl
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. ten cuidado (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
Be careful out there. The sidewalk is slippery.Ten cuidado afuera. Está resbalosa la acera.
b. tenga cuidado (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Please be careful, madam. The streets aren't safe.Por favor tenga cuidado, señora. Las calles son peligrosas.
3. (imperative)
b. aguas (colloquial) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
Be careful with that necklace! It's very fragile.¡Aguas con ese collar! Es muy frágil.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. tener cuidado
Make sure to be careful with that platter. It's fine china and is very expensive.Asegúrate de tener cuidado con esa bandeja. Es de porcelana y es muy caro.
care for(
kehr
for
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
b. ocuparse de
Lucy cares for an elderly neighbor twice a week.Lucy se ocupa de una vecina anciana dos ves por semana.
c. encargarse de
John cares for the garden in his free time.John se encarga del jardín en su tiempo libre.
a. querer
You should never ignore someone who cares for you.Nunca debes ignorar a una persona que te quiere.
b. sentir cariño por
Fernando told Marina that he cares for her.Fernando le dijo a Marina que siente cariño por ella.
a. querer
Do you care for anything to eat before you go to bed?¿Quieres comer algo antes de acostarte?
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Would you care for a drink with your meal?¿Te gustaría una bebida con la comida?
Would you care for a sandwich?¿Te apetece un sándwich?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I don't care for modern art.El arte moderno no me gusta.
Mary did not care for the idea of spending a whole afternoon with her mother-in-law.A Mary no le hacía ninguna gracia la idea de pasar toda una tarde con su suegra.
