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"Cuidado" is a form of "cuidado", a noun which is often translated as "care". "Atención" is a noun which is often translated as "attention". Learn more about the difference between "cuidado" and "atención" below.
el cuidado, cuidado(
kwee
-
dah
-
doh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (attention)
a. care
La Sra. Saldívar está al cuidado de su hija mayor.Mrs. Saldivar is in the care of her eldest daughter.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Los niños siempre están al cuidado de una empleada doméstica.The children are always in a maid's care.
Contratamos a un enfermero para estar al cuidado de mi suegro.We hired a nurse to look after my father-in-law.
3. (concern)
a. worry
No hay cuidado. Tu secreto está a salvo conmigo.There's nothing to worry about. Your secret is safe with me.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Pierde cuidado: yo me ocupo de que llegue a tiempo.Don't worry! I will see to it that he arrives in time.
Me trae sin cuidado lo que digas.I don't care what you say.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
4. (detailed)
a. careful
Siguió un proceso cuidado para elegir al administrador de la fábrica.She followed a careful process to choose the factory administrator.
b. meticulous
El chef hizo una cuidada presentación de su plato más renombrado.The chef made a meticulous presentation of his most famous dish.
5. (flawless)
a. impeccable
Tener un aspecto cuidado es totalmente necesario en una entrevista de trabajo.An impeccable appearance on a job interview is an absolute necessity.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
la atención(
ah
-
tehn
-
syohn
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (interest)
a. attention
Si el asunto no es importante, no merece la atención del gerente.If it isn't an important issue, it doesn't warrant the manager's attention.
2. (courtesy)
a. kindness
Este señor me hizo la atención de pagarme la cerveza.This gentleman did me the kindness of paying for my beer.
b. attention
Tanta atención por parte de los camareros me resulta abrumadora.I find all the attention from the waiting staff overwhelming.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Es muy bonito que tengas una atención con tu abuela llevándole flores.It was very thoughtful of you to take your grandmother flowers.
Julia y su marido nos hicieron la atención de invitarnos para celebrar su aniversario en familia.Julia and her husband were kind enough to invite us along to celebrate their anniversary with them.
3. (help)
a. service
Nos gustó mucho la atención que recibimos en este hotel.We were very pleased with the service we received at this hotel.
b. attention
Creo que mi hijo se ha roto la nariz y necesita atención inmediata.I think my son has broken his nose and needs immediate attention.
c. treatment
Les escribo para agradecerles la atención excelente que recibí cuando me ingresaron en el hospital hace poco.I'm writing to thank you for the excellent treatment I received when I was hospitalized not long ago.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
a. your attention, please
¡Atención! El tren saldrá en cinco minutos.Your attention, please! The train will depart in five minutes.
b. attention, please
¡Atención! Si se encuentra un médico a bordo, le rogamos que se presente en el salón principal.Attention please! If there's a doctor on board, please make your way to the main lounge.
6. (military)
las atenciones
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. attention
Mi hermano nos colmó de atenciones mientras estuvimos en su casa.My brother showered us with attention when we were staying at his home.
b. attentions
No hay manera de agradecerle a Antonio todas sus atenciones.I can't thank Antonio enough for all his attentions.
