馃嚜馃嚫 Spanish phrases

How to Say "Be careful" in Spanish

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Ten cuidado
"Be careful" in Spanish 路 say it like tehn kwee-dah-oh

The most natural way to say "Be careful" in Spanish is Ten cuidado. 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

Cuidao
informal and casual, often used among friends
Ten cuidado con eso
more specific, used when warning about something particular

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to warn someone to be cautious. It can be used in various situations, such as when someone is about to do something risky or when they are handling something dangerous. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts.

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 Spanish

SpanishEnglish
Ten cuidado al cruzar la calle.Be careful when crossing the street.
Ten cuidado con el fuego.Be careful with the fire.
Common mistake
A common mistake is to say 'Ten cuidado' without context, which can sound abrupt. It's better to specify what to be careful about.

The fastest way to remember it

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

Frequently asked questions

Is 'Ten cuidado' used in all Spanish-speaking countries?

Yes, it is widely understood and used across different Spanish-speaking regions.

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