cuidado

Cuidado is a Spanish noun that refers to the action or state of taking care of someone or something, as well as to attention, concern, or maintenance. It is closely linked to the verb cuidar, which means to care for, protect, or be mindful of. The term is often used to express the idea of looking after people, objects, or situations, and to indicate prudence or caution in a given context.

In everyday use, cuidado can denote both personal care and broader responsibilities. For example, one can speak of cuidado infantil (child care), cuidado de la salud (health care), or cuidado de personas mayores (care of the elderly). It can also refer to the maintenance or safeguarding of things, such as el cuidado de una casa or el cuidado de bienes. The phrase tener cuidado means to be careful, while ¡Cuidado! serves as a warning equivalent to “Watch out!” or “Be careful.”

Cuidado also appears in phrases that emphasize precaution or risk awareness, such as actuar con cuidado (to act with care) or tomar los cuidados necesarios (take the necessary precautions). In medical and social vocabularies, it is common to encounter cuidados médicos (medical care), cuidados paliativos (palliative care), and cuidados de enfermería (nursing care).

As an adjective, the related term cuidadoso/cuidadosa describes someone who is careful or cautious. The word is widespread across Spanish-speaking regions, with subtle nuances shaped by context, from personal hygiene and domestic tasks to safety and professional health services.