vs
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"Cuida" is a form of "cuidar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take care of". "Gracias" is a form of "gracias", a phrase which is often translated as "thank you". Learn more about the difference between "cuida" and "gracias" 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.
gracias(
grah
-
syahs
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
2. (gratitude)
a. thanks
Mis gracias más sinceras a mi jefe por su apoyo.My most sincere thanks go to my boss for his support.
b. thank you
Quiero hacerle un regalo para darle las gracias.I'd like to give him a present as a thank you.
Gracias por toda su ayuda.Thank you for all your help.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo que dar las gracias a Juan Franco Agudo por haberme dado esta oportunidad.I must thank Juan Franco Agudo for giving me this opportunity.
Doy gracias al cielo por tener un hijo tan simpático.I thank heaven that I have such a nice son.
la gracia
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
3. (humor)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ese comentario no me hizo ninguna gracia.I didn't find that comment at all funny.
No te rías; no tiene gracia.Stop laughing; it isn't funny.
a. joke
Llevaba una lista de gracias para contar durante la cena.He had a list of jokes to tell over dinner.
a. grace
Me impresionaron la gracia y la elegancia de las bailarinas.I was impressed by the grace and elegance of the dancers.
c. gracefulness
La esquiadora se deslizaba sobre la nieve con la gracia de un cisne.The skier glided over the snow with the gracefulness of a swan.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Se mueve con mucha gracia.She moves very gracefully.
Todos queremos envejecer con gracia.We all want to grow old gracefully.
6. (colloquial) (performance by child)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. routine
Juanito terminó con su gracia y todos aplaudieron.Juanito finished his routine, and everyone applauded.
b. party piece (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El niño empezó con sus gracias y todos tuvimos que prestar atención.The child started on his party pieces, so we all had to pay attention.
7. (nuisance)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Qué gracia tener que sacar al perro cuando está lloviendo!How annoying having to take the dog out when it's raining!
Me pidieron trabajar todo el fin de semana. ¡Vaya gracia!I've been asked to work all weekend. Great!
9. (ability)
10. (legal)
b. mercy
El monarca es quien ejerce la prerrogativa de gracia.The monarch is the person responsible for exercising the prerogative of mercy.
c. pardon
La Suprema Corte otorgó la libertad por gracia a Antonio Pérez Ortega.The Supreme Court granted Antonio Pérez Ortega a pardon, allowing him to be released.
11. (good turn)
a. favor (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Necesito pedirle una gracia.I need to ask you a favor.
b. favour (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No me gusta pedir gracias a nadie.I don't like asking anyone for favours.
12. (period of time)
a. grace
Tengo una semana de gracia para acabar el trabajo.I've been given one week's grace to finish the job.
13. (religion)
14. (old-fashioned) (moniker)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
