To take care of someone or something, or to be careful with it
Encoding Strategies:
mnemonic
kid
a child
+
-ar
verb suffix
Cuidar means to take care of and sounds like kid0-ar, because you take care of kids.
cuidar
to take care of, to look after
When you take care of someone or something.
Mi abuela me cuidaba cuando mis padres trabajabanMy grandmother took care of me when my parents worked
¿Puedes cuidar mi planta mientras estoy de viaje?Can you look after my plant while I'm traveling?
to be careful with, to watch
When you're careful with something, paying close attention to it as if you're taking care of it.
Ella cuida mucho los detalles de su trabajoShe is very careful with the details of her work
Cuida tus palabras delante de tu jefeWatch your words in front of your boss
cuidar de
to take care of
When you take care of someone or something. The de marks who or what receives your care, literally who you are taking care "of."
Ella cuida de sus hermanos menores por la tardeShe takes care of her younger siblings in the afternoon
¿Quién va a cuidar de tu perro este fin de semana?Who's going to take care of your dog this weekend?
cuidar de que
to make sure
When you make sure something happens, literally "taking care of" the fact "that ..."
Cuidaré de que todo esté listo para la fiestaI'll make sure everything is ready for the party
Cuida de que la puerta quede cerrada con llaveMake sure the door stays locked
cuidarse
to take care of oneself, to look after oneself
When you look after your own health and wellbeing, literally taking care of yourself.
Tienes que cuidarte más y dormir bienYou need to take better care of yourself and sleep well
Desde que se jubiló, mi padre se cuida muchoSince he retired, my father looks after himself a lot
take care (goodbye)
A friendly goodbye that tells someone to take care of themselves.
Nos vemos pronto, ¡cuídate!See you soon, take care!
¡Cuídense mucho en el viaje!Take good care on your trip!
cuidarse de
to be careful not to, to watch out for
When you watch out for something, literally "taking care of yourself from" it.
Se cuidó de no despertar al bebéHe was careful not to wake the baby
Cuídate de los carteristas en el metroWatch out for pickpockets on the subway