cuidar
/kwee-DAHR/
to take care of
Cuidar means to take care of someone or something, like watering a plant.
cuidar(Verb)
to take care of
?a person, animal, or object
,to look after
?children or pets
to guard
?a property or valuable item
,to mind
?a quick task or object, e.g., 'mind my bag'
📝 In Action
¿Puedes cuidar a mi perro este fin de semana?
A1Can you look after my dog this weekend?
Ella cuida mucho los detalles de su trabajo.
B1She pays close attention to the details of her work. (Literally: She cares for the details)
Mi hermano cuida el jardín para que esté hermoso.
A2My brother takes care of the garden so that it is beautiful.
💡 Grammar Points
The Personal 'A'
When 'cuidar' involves a specific person or pet as the one receiving the care, you MUST put the small word 'a' before them: 'Cuidamos a María' (We take care of Maria).
Caring for Objects
When caring for a thing (not a person or pet), skip the 'a': 'Cuida su salud' (He looks after his health) or 'Cuida la casa' (He looks after the house).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Responsibility
Use 'cuidar' any time you mean 'to take responsibility for' or 'to watch over,' not just for active nursing.
When referring to your own well-being, cuidar means to take care of oneself.
cuidar(Verb)
to take care of oneself
?health, self-care, well-being
,to be careful
?to exercise caution
to watch out
?in a specific situation
📝 In Action
Me cuido mucho, por eso hago ejercicio.
A2I take good care of myself; that's why I exercise.
¡Cuídate! Nos vemos mañana.
A2Take care! See you tomorrow.
Hay que cuidarse de los virus en invierno.
B1One must be careful about viruses in the winter.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive Form
When you use 'cuidarse,' the action returns to the person doing it (me, te, se, nos). You are caring for yourself.
A Common Goodbye
'¡Cuídate!' (Take care!) is one of the most natural and friendly ways to say goodbye to friends or family in Spanish.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'Se'
Mistake: "Yo cuido mucho (when meaning 'I take care of myself')."
Correction: Yo *me* cuido mucho. If you omit the 'me,' it means you are caring for someone or something else.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cuidar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence means 'You should focus on your own health'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'cuidar' different from 'mantener' (to maintain)?
While both can involve upkeep, 'cuidar' emphasizes attention, affection, and protection (often used for living things or health). 'Mantener' emphasizes financial or physical stability (e.g., maintaining a building, a diet, or a financial status).
What is the most common way to say 'Take care' as a goodbye?
The most common and friendly way is '¡Cuídate!' (using the informal 'tú' form) or '¡Cuídese!' (using the formal 'usted' form).