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"Cuidado" is a form of "cuidado", a noun which is often translated as "care". "Cautela" is a form of "cautela", a noun which is often translated as "caution". Learn more about the difference between "cuidado" and "cautela" 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 cautela(
kow
-
teh
-
lah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (general)
a. caution
Ya que es una situación delicada, tenemos que proceder con cautela.Since this is a delicate situation, we need to proceed with caution.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Laura abrió la carpeta y extrajo con cautela la carta.Laura opened the file and carefully extracted the letter.
Sin encender la luz, Jaime bajó la escalera con cautela.Without turning on the light, Jaime cautiously descended the stairs.
