🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "Be careful" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
気をつけて
"Be careful" in Japanese · say it like kee-oh-tsu-keh-teh

The most natural way to say "Be careful" in Japanese is 気をつけて. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

注意して
more formal, often used in written contexts
気をつけなさい
more authoritative, often used by parents or teachers

When to use it

You can use this phrase when you want to warn someone about potential danger or to remind them to be cautious. It is commonly used in everyday conversations among friends and family. It can also be used in more formal situations, depending on the context.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Be careful" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
運転中は気をつけてね。Be careful while driving.
外は寒いから、気をつけて出かけてね。It's cold outside, so be careful when you go out.
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse this phrase with '気をつけます', which is a more formal way to say 'I will be careful' rather than giving a warning.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 気をつけて, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use '気をつけて'?

Use it when you want to advise someone to be cautious in a situation.

Learn Japanese by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.