Inklingo

How to Say "care" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “care” is “cuidado” — use 'cuidado' when you mean general attention or diligence, often in the context of avoiding danger or mistakes, like being careful when driving.

cuidado🔊A2

Use 'cuidado' when you mean general attention or diligence, often in the context of avoiding danger or mistakes, like being careful when driving.

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precauciónA2

Use 'precaución' specifically when emphasizing the need to be mindful and take preventive measures, especially in situations that could be risky.

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cariñoA2

Choose 'cariño' when 'care' refers to affection, fondness, or love you feel for someone or something.

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atenciónB1

Use 'atención' when 'care' means thoughtful service, politeness, or the act of paying attention to someone or something.

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ojos🔊B1

Use 'ojos' in the idiomatic expression 'tener mis ojos puestos en alguien' which means to keep a close watch on someone, implying suspicion or vigilance.

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diligencia🔊B2

Opt for 'diligencia' when 'care' implies a high level of conscientiousness, thoroughness, and attention to detail in performing a task.

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English → Spanish

cuidado

kwee-DAH-dohkwiˈða.ðo

NounA2General
Use 'cuidado' when you mean general attention or diligence, often in the context of avoiding danger or mistakes, like being careful when driving.
A close-up image of a person's hands gently cupping and protecting a fragile, vibrant green seedling emerging from the soil, symbolizing care and diligence.

Examples

Conduce con cuidado, está lloviendo.

Drive with care, it's raining.

Necesitas poner más cuidado en tu trabajo.

You need to put more care into your work.

El paciente requiere cuidados especiales.

The patient requires special care.

Using 'Tener Cuidado'

To say 'to be careful' in Spanish, you almost always use the phrase 'tener cuidado'. Think of it like 'to have care'. For example, 'Ten cuidado' means 'Be careful'.

Not 'Ser Cuidado'

Mistake: “Soy cuidado cuando cruzo la calle.”

Correction: Tengo cuidado cuando cruzo la calle. The phrase always uses the verb 'tener' (to have), not 'ser' or 'estar' (to be).

precaución

NounA2General
Use 'precaución' specifically when emphasizing the need to be mindful and take preventive measures, especially in situations that could be risky.

Examples

Por favor, maneja con mucha precaución porque está lloviendo.

Please, drive with a lot of caution because it is raining.

cariño

NounA2General
Choose 'cariño' when 'care' refers to affection, fondness, or love you feel for someone or something.

Examples

Le tengo mucho cariño a mi abuela.

I have a lot of affection for my grandmother.

atención

NounB1General
Use 'atención' when 'care' means thoughtful service, politeness, or the act of paying attention to someone or something.

Examples

La atención al cliente en esta tienda es fantástica.

The customer service in this store is fantastic.

ojos

OH-hohsˈo.xos

NounB1Informal
Use 'ojos' in the idiomatic expression 'tener mis ojos puestos en alguien' which means to keep a close watch on someone, implying suspicion or vigilance.
A pair of large, attentive brown eyes intently watching a small, shiny gold coin sitting on a table, symbolizing focus.

Examples

Tengo mis ojos puestos en ti, no intentes nada.

I've got my eyes on you, don't try anything.

A los ojos de la ley, todos somos iguales.

In the eyes of the law, we are all equal.

El profesor tiene mil ojos, lo ve todo.

The teacher has a thousand eyes, he sees everything.

diligencia

dee-lee-HEN-syahdiliˈxen.sja

NounB2Formal
Opt for 'diligencia' when 'care' implies a high level of conscientiousness, thoroughness, and attention to detail in performing a task.
A person carefully and quickly painting a wooden fence with a brush.

Examples

Ella realiza su trabajo con mucha diligencia.

She carries out her work with great diligence.

El abogado actuó con la debida diligencia.

The lawyer acted with due diligence.

Necesitamos resolver este problema con diligencia.

We need to resolve this problem promptly/efficiently.

Adverbial Use

To say 'diligently,' you can use the phrase 'con diligencia' (with diligence) instead of the long word 'diligentemente'.

False Friend Alert

Mistake: “Thinking 'diligencia' only means 'hard work'.”

Correction: In Spanish, it's just as likely to mean an errand or a legal process.

Cuidado vs. Precaución

Learners often confuse 'cuidado' and 'precaución' when talking about being careful. While both relate to safety, 'precaución' specifically highlights the *preventive measures* taken due to potential danger, whereas 'cuidado' is a more general term for carefulness or attention.

Related Translations

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