vs
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"Cuidado" is a form of "cuidado", a noun which is often translated as "care". "Cuida" is a form of "cuidar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take care of". Learn more about the difference between "cuidado" and "cuida" below.
el cuidado, cuidado(
kwee
-
dah
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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!).
cuidar(
kwee
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dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to take care of
La vecina me cuida las plantas cuando estoy fuera.My neighbor takes care of my plants when I'm away.
b. to look after
¿Puedes cuidar a los niños mientras hago la cena?Could you look after the children while I'm cooking dinner?
c. to care for
Él cuida de su padre durante el verano cuando cierran la residencia.He cares for his father during the summer when the nursing home is closed.
a. to pay attention
Cuida mucho los detalles cuando invita a cenar a alguien.She pays great attention to detail when she invites someone for dinner.
b. to take care over
Cuida su apariencia porque trabaja de cara al público.He takes care over his appearance because he has to deal with customers in his job.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to take care of
Puedo cuidar de tu perro mientras estás de vacaciones.I can take care of your dog while you are on vacation.
b. to make sure that
Cuidaré de que esté todo listo para la inauguración.I'll make sure that everything is ready for the opening.
cuidarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to take care of oneself
¡Disfruten su viaje y por favor, cuídense bien!Have fun on your trip, and please take care of yourselves!
b. to look after oneself
Cuando cuides de otras personas, asegúrate de cuidarte a ti mismo también.While taking care of others, make sure to look after yourself as well.
c. to take care
Bueno, suerte con tus planes y ¡cuídate!Well, good luck with your plans and take care!
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to take care
El personal del hotel se cuidó de cada detalle en nuestra habitación.The hotel staff took care of every detail in our room.
