← Back to Fala2Me

be careful

[bi ˈker.fəl]
verb phrase
ter cuidado
1. to exercise caution or attention to avoid danger, mistakes, or problems
Be careful when crossing the street.
Tenha cuidado ao atravessar a rua.
2. to handle something with care to avoid damage
Be careful with that vase; it's fragile.
Tenha cuidado com esse vaso; é frágil.
3. to be wary or cautious about someone or something
Be careful of strangers offering gifts.
Tenha cuidado com estranhos oferecendo presentes.
Synonyms
be cautiouswatch outbe waryexercise cautiontake care
Antonyms
be carelessbe recklessbe negligent

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ter cuidado
most common form used throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
toma cuidado
colloquial imperative form commonly used
São Paulo
cuidado
shortened imperative form, very common in informal speech
Portugal
ter cuidado
same as Brazilian Portuguese; also 'tenham cuidado' for formal plural

Related Idioms & Phrases

be careful what you wish for
better safe than sorry
look before you leap
mind your own business
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →