precaución

precaution

caution

USAGE NOTE

This word is often used in the plural in the sense shown in 1).

precaución(

preh

kow

syohn

)

A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g. la mujer bonita, la luna llena).

feminine noun

1. (safety measure)

a. precaution

La escuela no tomó las precauciones necesarias para prevenir el incendio.The school didn't take the precautions necessary to prevent the fire.

b. preventive measure

El gobierno tomó precauciones para que no haya disturbios durante el festival.The government took preventive measures to avoid street disturbances during the festival.

2. (carefulness)

a. caution

Muévete con precaución. El lugar está plagado de trampas.Move with caution. There are traps everywhere.

b. care

Por favor, ten precaución con el jarrón de vidrio.Please take care when handling the glass vase.

precaución

A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling or idea (e.g. man, dog, house).

Noun

1. (prudencia)

a. caution, care

2. (medida)

a. precaution

tomar precaucionesto take precautions

precaución

1 (al hacer algo) (cuidado) precaution; (medida) preventive measure

tomar precauciones to take precautions

debeís tomar precauciones (sexo seguro, con preservativos)

extremar las precauciones to be extra careful; lo hicimos por precaución we did it to be on the safe side; we did it as a precautionary measure o as a precaution

2 (previsión) foresight; (cautela) caution

ir con precaución to proceed with caution

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Examples

Phrases

precaución	precaution caution
precaución al rebasar	caution when passing
debemos conducir con precaución durante una tormenta de nieve	we have to drive carefully during a snowstorm