Inklingo

How to Say "caution" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “caution” is “cuidado” — use 'cuidado' when referring to the general state of being careful or attentive to avoid danger, often used as an interjection or in phrases like 'con cuidado'.

cuidado🔊A2

Use 'cuidado' when referring to the general state of being careful or attentive to avoid danger, often used as an interjection or in phrases like 'con cuidado'.

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precauciónA2

Use 'precaución' when referring to the specific measures or care taken beforehand to prevent harm or danger.

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advertencia🔊A2

Use 'advertencia' when you mean a formal notice, a warning, or advice given to someone about a potential danger or problem.

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avisar🔊B1

Use 'avisar' as a verb to mean 'to warn' someone about something, to inform them of a potential risk or danger.

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prudencia🔊B1

Use 'prudencia' to describe the quality of being wise and careful, emphasizing good judgment and foresight in actions.

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cautela🔊B2

Use 'cautela' when referring to a deliberate and careful approach, often implying suspicion or wariness in a specific situation.

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reserva🔊C1

Use 'reserva' when 'caution' implies holding back information or acting with discretion and restraint, especially in speech.

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English → Spanish

cuidado

kwee-DAH-dohkwiˈða.ðo

nounA2general
Use 'cuidado' when referring to the general state of being careful or attentive to avoid danger, often used as an interjection or in phrases like 'con cuidado'.
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' when referring to the specific measures or care taken beforehand to prevent harm or danger.

Examples

Por favor, maneja con mucha precaución porque está lloviendo.

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

advertencia

ahd-vehr-TEHN-syahað.βeɾˈten.sja

nounA2general
Use 'advertencia' when you mean a formal notice, a warning, or advice given to someone about a potential danger or problem.
A small, worried character standing on safe ground, urgently pointing toward a deep, visible fissure or crack in the earth to caution someone about the danger ahead.

Examples

El cartel de la piscina tenía una advertencia clara sobre la profundidad.

The pool sign had a clear warning about the depth.

Ignoró la advertencia del médico y siguió comiendo dulces.

He ignored the doctor's warning and kept eating sweets.

Recibió una advertencia por llegar tarde al trabajo tres veces.

She received a warning for being late to work three times.

Gender Rule

Even though 'advertencia' starts with 'a,' it is a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' (la advertencia).

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'advertencia' when you mean the action of warning ('advertir').”

Correction: Remember, 'advertencia' is the thing (the warning itself). The verb is 'advertir' (to warn).

avisar

ah-vee-SAHRa.βiˈsaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'avisar' as a verb to mean 'to warn' someone about something, to inform them of a potential risk or danger.
A simplified figure holding their hand up firmly to stop another figure from walking toward a brightly colored, stylized danger sign on the ground.

Examples

El guardia civil nos avisó del tráfico pesado en la carretera.

The police officer warned us about the heavy traffic on the road.

Te avisé que ese perro muerde, ¿por qué lo tocaste?

I warned you that dog bites, why did you touch it?

Los científicos avisaron al gobierno sobre el riesgo de inundación.

The scientists cautioned the government about the risk of flooding.

Warning vs. Telling

When 'avisar' means 'to warn,' it often focuses on preventing a bad outcome. The structure remains the same as 'to inform': 'avisar a alguien de algo' (warn someone of something).

prudencia

proo-DEN-syahpɾuˈden.sja

nounB1general
Use 'prudencia' to describe the quality of being wise and careful, emphasizing good judgment and foresight in actions.
A person carefully testing the stability of a wooden bridge with their foot before crossing a small stream.

Examples

Debes manejar con mucha prudencia cuando hay niebla.

You must drive with great caution when it is foggy.

La prudencia es necesaria antes de tomar una decisión importante.

Prudence is necessary before making an important decision.

Actuó con prudencia y no le contó a nadie el secreto.

He acted with discretion and didn't tell anyone the secret.

Always Feminine

Since this word ends in '-cia,' it is feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Used as an Adverb

In Spanish, we often say 'con prudencia' (with prudence) instead of using an adverb like 'prudently.' It sounds much more natural.

Prudencia vs. Prudente

Mistake: “Él maneja con prudente.”

Correction: Él maneja con prudencia. (Use the noun 'prudencia' after 'con,' not the adjective 'prudente').

cautela

kaw-TEH-lahkau̯ˈtela

nounB2general
Use 'cautela' when referring to a deliberate and careful approach, often implying suspicion or wariness in a specific situation.
A person walking very carefully across a narrow wooden beam with their arms outstretched for balance.

Examples

Debes actuar con cautela en esta situación.

You must act with caution in this situation.

El gato se acercó al pájaro con mucha cautela.

The cat approached the bird with great stealth.

Los inversores muestran cautela ante la caída de la bolsa.

Investors are showing wariness regarding the stock market crash.

Always Feminine

This word is always feminine ('la cautela'). Even if you are talking about a man being careful, the word 'cautela' itself never changes its ending.

Using 'Con' to Describe Action

To say someone is doing something 'cautiously,' Spanish speakers usually say 'con cautela' (with caution) rather than using a long adverb.

Don't confuse with the adjective

Mistake: “Él es muy cautela.”

Correction: Él es muy cauteloso (He is very cautious) OR Él actúa con cautela (He acts with caution). Use 'cautela' for the concept and 'cauteloso' to describe a person.

reserva

reh-SEHR-vahreˈseɾ.βa

nounC1formal
Use 'reserva' when 'caution' implies holding back information or acting with discretion and restraint, especially in speech.
A small, quiet child sitting slightly concealed behind a large, bright blue armchair, peeking out shyly, illustrating emotional restraint.

Examples

El testigo habló con mucha reserva sobre los detalles del caso.

The witness spoke with great reserve about the details of the case.

Su reserva lo hace parecer distante, pero es una persona amable.

His reserve makes him seem distant, but he is a kind person.

Adverbial Phrase

To describe how someone acts, use the phrase 'con reserva' (with reserve), which functions like an adverb.

Cuidado vs. Precaución

Learners often confuse 'cuidado' and 'precaución'. Remember that 'cuidado' is more about the general state of being careful (like 'be careful!'), while 'precaución' refers to specific actions taken to avoid danger.

Related Translations

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