cuidadoso
kwee-dah-DOH-soh
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo es muy cuidadoso con sus herramientas de jardín.
A2My grandfather is very careful with his garden tools.
Ella fue cuidadosa al hablar para no ofender a nadie.
B1She was cautious when speaking so as not to offend anyone.
El informe del arquitecto fue muy cuidadoso y detallado.
B2The architect's report was very thorough and detailed.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Since 'cuidadoso' describes a person or thing, its ending must change to match the gender and number: 'cuidadoso' (masculine singular), 'cuidadosa' (feminine singular), 'cuidadosos' (masculine plural), and 'cuidadosas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Adjective and Adverb
Mistake: "Using 'cuidadoso' to describe how an action is done (e.g., 'Ella conduce cuidadoso')."
Correction: Use the adverb 'cuidadosamente' to describe the action: 'Ella conduce cuidadosamente' (She drives carefully).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Ser
When describing a person's general personality trait—that they are a careful person—you almost always use the verb 'ser': 'Mi hija es muy cuidadosa'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cuidadoso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the adjective form of 'cuidadoso'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'She is careful'?
You must match the gender of the adjective to the person, so you would say: 'Ella es cuidadosa.' If you were talking about a man, you would use the masculine form: 'Él es cuidadoso.'
What is the difference between 'cuidadoso' and 'cauto'?
Both mean 'careful,' but 'cauto' often implies a deeper sense of cautiousness or prudence, usually related to avoiding danger or risk. 'Cuidadoso' can simply mean being attentive and thorough.