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A storybook illustration showing two friendly cartoon characters, a rabbit and a bear, standing outside a colorful house. The rabbit is walking away but turns back to wave goodbye to the bear, who is waving back from the doorway, illustrating a warm farewell.

cuídate

kwee-DAH-teh (Stress on the 'kwee' syllable)

Verb (Imperative)A1regular (reflexive) ar
Take care (of yourself)?Used as a friendly farewell
Also:Be careful?As a warning,Stay safe?General well-wishing

Quick Reference

infinitivecuidarse
gerundcuidándose
past Participlecuidado

📝 In Action

Me tengo que ir. ¡Cuídate mucho!

A1

I have to go. Take care of yourself a lot!

Voy a viajar en moto. Mi madre me dijo, 'Cuídate'.

A2

I'm going to travel by motorcycle. My mother told me, 'Be careful.'

Nos vemos la semana que viene. ¡Cuídate!

A1

See you next week. Take care!

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • que te vaya bien (Have a good one)
  • adiós (Goodbye)

Common Collocations

  • Cuídate mucho – Take really good care of yourself
  • Cuídate de los resfriados – Protect yourself from colds

💡 Grammar Points

A Command and a Pronoun

This word is a combination of two things: the informal command 'cuida' (care for) and the pronoun 'te' (yourself). The attached 'te' is what makes the action bounce back to the person you are talking to.

Why the Accent Mark?

When you attach a pronoun like 'te' to a command, the original stress of the verb needs to be marked with an accent to keep the pronunciation the same. The stress stays on the 'uí' part: cuí-da-te.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using it Formally

Mistake: "Using 'cuídate' when talking to an elder or someone you call 'usted'."

Correction: If you are being formal, you must use 'cuídese'. Remember the 'se' pronoun goes with 'usted'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Essential Farewell

In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'cuídate' is a very warm and polite way to end a conversation, much more personal than just saying 'adiós'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cuídate

Question 1 of 2

If you are talking to your boss, whom you address as 'usted', how would you say 'Take care'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cuidar(to take care of (transitive)) - verb
cuidarse(to take care of oneself (reflexive)) - verb
el cuidado(care, attention) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'cuídate' at the start of a conversation?

No, 'cuídate' is strictly a farewell phrase used when someone is leaving. It is a way of saying goodbye and wishing them well until the next time you meet.

Is 'cuídate' the same as 'ten cuidado'?

They are similar but used differently. 'Cuídate' is a general, warm farewell ('Take care'). 'Ten cuidado' is a direct warning or instruction meaning 'Be careful' (e.g., 'Be careful crossing the street').