vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Be safe" is a phrase which is often translated as "ten cuidado", and "okay" is an adverb which is often translated as "bien". Learn more about the difference between "be safe" and "okay" below.
be safe(
bi
 
seyf
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. ten cuidado
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
(informal)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
(singular)
Mom, I'm leaving now. - Be safe! The roads are very icy right now.Mamá, ya me voy. - ¡Ten cuidado! Ahora mismo las calles están cubiertas de hielo.
b. cuídate
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
(informal)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
(singular)
Working as a police officer is dangerous. Please be safe.Trabajar como policía es peligroso. Por favor, cuídate.
c. tenga cuidado
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
(singular)
It's a very dangerous mission. Be safe.Es una misión muy peligrosa. Tenga cuidado.
d. cuídese
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
(singular)
The flu is very bad this year. Be safe.Este año la gripe es muy mala. Cuídese.
a. tengan cuidado
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
(plural)
The building could collapse any moment now. Be safe!El edificio podría derrumbarse en cualquier momento. ¡Tengan cuidado!
b. cuídense
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
(plural)
The aftershocks might cause landslides. Be safe!Las réplicas del terremoto podrían causar corrimientos de tierra. ¡Cuídense!
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.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. tener cuidado
You should always try to be safe when using a chainsaw.Debes tener cuidado siempre que uses una sierra de cadena.
b. cuidarse
I'm very worried about you. I hope you're being safe.Estoy muy preocupada por ti. Espero que te estés cuidando.
c. estar seguro
Is that vase safe with the kids running around the table?¿Está seguro ese jarrón con los niños corriendo alrededor de la mesa?
d. estar a salvo
We stood underneath an awning to be safe from the rain.Paramos debajo de un toldo para estar a salvo de la lluvia.
a. ser seguro
Is this bridge safe? It looks very fragile and unstable.¿Es seguro este puente? Parece muy frágil e inestable.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
okay(
o
-
key
)
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. bien
Everything is going to be okay.Todo va a estar bien.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
interjection
a. está bien
Let's go out for dinner. - Okay.Vayamos a cenar fuera. - Está bien.
b. okey
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
I left your dinner in the fridge. - Okay.Te dejé la cena en la nevera. - Okey.
c. vale
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
Will you drive? - Okay.¿Quieres conducir tú? - Vale.
a. bueno
Okay, then. Let's make a start.Bueno, a ver. ¡Empecemos!
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. bien
Are you okay? The fall had to hurt.¿Estás bien? La caída te ha tenido que doler.
a. bien
The movie is okay, but I wish it had a little bit more action.La película está bien, pero me gustaría que tuviera algo más de acción.
b. bueno
Its performance is okay, the problem is how fast it deteriorates.Su rendimiento es bueno, el problema es que se deteriora muy rápido.
a. simpático
She is more than okay, she is incredible.Es más que simpática, es increíble.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
If you don't feel like going out, that's quite okay.Si no tienes ganas de salir, no hay ningún problema.
Is it okay if I leave it here?¿Lo puedo dejar aquí?
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. el visto bueno
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
You have my okay to post it.Tienes mi visto bueno para publicarlo.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. aprobar
For it to be implemented, the committee must okay it.Para ponerlo en práctica, tiene que aprobarlo el comité.
b. dar el visto bueno a
Has the boss okayed it?¿Le dio el jefe el visto bueno?
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.