Spanish Phrase
Ojo con tu cartera y tu móvil.
Meaning
A friendly but firm warning telling someone to keep an eye on their wallet and phone. It’s often used in crowded or risky situations where personal belongings could be stolen.
When to use
Use this phrase when you notice a friend or stranger might be distracted, especially in markets, public transport, festivals, or any place where pickpocketing is common. It’s informal and works best in spoken conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ojocontucarteraytumóvil
Ojo con
An idiomatic warning meaning 'watch out for' or 'be careful with'. It functions like an interjection followed by the preposition 'con'.
con + noun
The preposition 'con' introduces the object of the warning; it agrees in gender and number with the noun that follows.
tu (possessive adjective)
Indicates ownership; do not accent it (tu) unless you mean 'you' (tú).
y (conjunction)
Simple coordinating conjunction that links two nouns of the same type.
móvil vs. celular
In Spain 'móvil' is the common word for 'cell phone'; in many Latin American countries 'celular' is preferred.
🗨In Conversation
Voy a dejar mi bolso aquí mientras compro.
I'm going to leave my bag here while I shop.
Ojo con tu cartera y tu móvil.
Watch out for your wallet and your phone.
✕Common Mistakes
Ojo a tu cartera y tu móvil.
The idiom uses 'con', not 'a'. 'Ojo a' is not standard for this warning.
Ojo con tú cartera y tú móvil.
Do not accent 'tu' here; 'tú' means 'you' as a subject pronoun, while 'tu' is the possessive adjective.
Ojo con tu cartera y tu móvil.
In many Latin American countries 'celular' is preferred; using 'móvil' may sound foreign.
↔Alternatives
Cuida tu cartera y tu móvil.
Take care of your wallet and your phone.
Ten cuidado con tu cartera y tu móvil.
Be careful with your wallet and your phone.
Presta atención a tu cartera y a tu móvil.
Pay attention to your wallet and your phone.
Cultural Tip
In Spain and many Spanish‑speaking countries, 'ojo' is a common colloquial way to issue a quick warning. It’s informal, so reserve it for friends, family, or peers rather than in formal settings. Remember that in Latin America people will more often say 'cuidado con' or use 'celular' instead of 'móvil'.