Portuguese Phrase
Se cuida.
Meaning
A polite way to tell someone to look after themselves, equivalent to ‘Take care of yourself.’ It carries a tone of concern and respect.
When to use
Use it when saying goodbye, after a conversation where you want to show care, or in written messages like emails or letters to a colleague or elder.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Secuida
se (reflexive pronoun)
In commands, 'se' makes the verb reflexive, indicating the action is performed on the subject itself.
cuida (imperative)
‘Cuida’ is the tú‑imperative form of the verb ‘cuidar’ (to take care of).
🗨In Conversation
Se cuida.
Take care.
Gracias, usted también.
Thank you, you too.
✕Common Mistakes
Se cuido.
Uses the first‑person present instead of the imperative; the correct command is ‘Se cuida’.
Se cuidas.
Adds an extra ‘s’; the imperative for ‘tú’ is ‘cuida’, not ‘cuidas’.
↔Alternatives
¡Cuídate!
Take care of yourself!
Que te vaya bien.
Hope things go well for you.
Cuídese.
Take care (formal).
Cultural Tip
‘Se cuida’ is slightly more formal than the very common ‘¡Cuídate!’ and is often used with people you don’t know well, older adults, or in professional settings. In many Latin American countries, the reflexive ‘se’ adds a polite distance, while in Spain the simple ‘Cuídate’ is used among friends.