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"Cuidar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take care of", and "querer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to want". Learn more about the difference between "cuidar" and "querer" below.
cuidar(
kwee
-
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.
querer(
keh
-
rehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
5. (romance)
a. love affair
Cuando salió a relucir su querer, el gobernador renunció.When his love affair was exposed, the governor resigned.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
quererse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
