cuidadosamente
kwee-dah-doh-sah-MEN-tay
📝 In Action
Ella colocó el jarrón de cristal cuidadosamente sobre la mesa.
A2She carefully placed the crystal vase on the table.
Debemos revisar cuidadosamente el contrato antes de firmar cualquier cosa.
B1We must carefully review the contract before signing anything.
El cirujano procedió cuidadosamente para evitar dañar los nervios vitales.
B2The surgeon proceeded cautiously to avoid damaging vital nerves.
💡 Grammar Points
How Adverbs End
In Spanish, many words that tell you 'how' an action is done end in '-mente', which is like adding '-ly' in English. This word describes the verb (the action).
The Root Adjective
The word comes from the feminine version of the adjective 'cuidadoso' (careful), which is 'cuidadosa'. You always add '-mente' to the feminine form of the adjective.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Adjective and Adverb
Mistake: "Hizo la tarea cuidadoso."
Correction: Hizo la tarea cuidadosamente. (The '-mente' ending is needed because you are describing how the action ('hizo') was performed, not describing the noun.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement is Flexible
Unlike English, where 'carefully' often sits right next to the verb, 'cuidadosamente' can often be placed at the end of the sentence or before the verb, giving you flexibility in your sentence flow.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cuidadosamente
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'cuidadosamente'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when to use 'cuidadosamente' versus 'con cuidado'?
They mean the same thing! 'Cuidadosamente' (the single adverb) is often more formal or concise, while 'con cuidado' (with care) is very common in everyday speech. Use whichever feels most natural in the moment.
Can I use 'cuidadosamente' to describe a noun?
No. Adverbs like this describe verbs (actions). If you want to describe a person or thing, you must use the adjective 'cuidadoso' (masculine) or 'cuidadosa' (feminine).