Portuguese · Greetings & Essentials
"Be careful!" in Portuguese: cuidado!
cuidado!
Be careful! in Portuguese is cuidado! Shout it for traffic, wet floors, hot pans, or anything that could hurt someone.
Busy crossing
Cuidado! O ônibus não vai parar.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce cuidado!
Say it
koo-ee-DAH-doo
/kui.ˈda.du/
koo-ee-DAH-doo
"Be careful!" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| cuidado! | be careful! / watch out! Urgent default. | Urgent default. |
| vai com cuidado | go carefully Softer send-off. | Softer send-off. |
| toma cuidado | take care / be careful Advice form. | Advice form. |
| cuidado com o degrau | watch the step Names the hazard. | Names the hazard. |
How to use cuidado! in real life
- 1Busy crossing
Cuidado! O ônibus não vai parar.
Watch out! The bus won't stop.
Traffic shout.
- 2Kitchen steam
Cuidado—a panela está fervendo.
Careful—the pot is boiling.
Hot hazard.
- 3Hiking trail
Cuidado com a pedra molhada aí na frente.
Careful with the wet rock ahead.
Points to danger.
Mistakes English speakers make with cuidado!
Incorrect: Be careful! (in Portuguese speech)
Correct: Cuidado!
Use the Portuguese warning.
Incorrect: Cuidados!
Correct: Cuidado!
Interjection is singular cuidado!
Good to know
Cuidado! is short and sharp—pair it with a gesture. Softer caretaking uses toma cuidado or se cuida when someone leaves at night.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Crossing a rainy street together
ChatPal
Cuidado! O carro está vindo rápido.
Watch out! The car is coming fast.
You
Vi. Cuidado você também na poça.
I saw it. You be careful in the puddle too.
ChatPal
Vamos esperar o sinal.
Let's wait for the light.
You
Boa ideia.
Good idea.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Be careful!" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Be careful!" in Portuguese
Take care leaving?
Se cuida! or toma cuidado.
Careful with X?
Cuidado com X.
Plural listeners?
Cuidado! still works as a shout.
Noun meaning?
O cuidado also means care/attention.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
