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"Be careful" is a form of "be careful", a phrase which is often translated as "ten cuidado". "Tend" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "tender a". Learn more about the difference between "tend" and "be careful" below.
tend(
tehnd
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
c. tener tendencia a
People tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck.Las personas tienen tendencia a creer que la felicidad no es más que un golpe de suerte.
d. inclinarse a
I tend to think someone has bribed the judge.Me inclino a pensar que alguien ha sobornado al juez.
a. tender a
Her books tend toward the theoretical rather than the practical.Sus libros tienden a ser más teóricos que prácticos.
The poll found that the voters tended toward the conservative.La encuesta halló que los votantes tendían a ser conservadores.
a. atender a
We have a nurse that comes every day to tend to my father-in-law.Tenemos un enfermero que viene todos los días a atender a mi suegro.
b. ocuparse de
The family shares the responsibility of tending to the housework.La familia comparte la responsabilidad de ocuparse de los quehaceres domésticos.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
be careful(
bi
kehr
-
fuhl
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. ten cuidado (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
Be careful out there. The sidewalk is slippery.Ten cuidado afuera. Está resbalosa la acera.
b. tenga cuidado (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Please be careful, madam. The streets aren't safe.Por favor tenga cuidado, señora. Las calles son peligrosas.
3. (imperative)
b. aguas (colloquial) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
Be careful with that necklace! It's very fragile.¡Aguas con ese collar! Es muy frágil.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. tener cuidado
Make sure to be careful with that platter. It's fine china and is very expensive.Asegúrate de tener cuidado con esa bandeja. Es de porcelana y es muy caro.
