Spanish Phrase
Cuídate.
Meaning
A friendly, informal way to tell someone “Take care of yourself.” It conveys concern and goodwill, often used when parting or after someone mentions feeling unwell.
When to use
Use "Cuídate" with friends, family, or anyone you address with the informal "tú". It works as a warm goodbye, after a conversation about health, or whenever you want to show care without sounding overly formal.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cuídate
Reflexive Imperative (tú)
The verb "cuidar" becomes "cuida" in the affirmative tú command, and the reflexive pronoun "te" is attached to the end, forming "cuídate".
Accent on í
The stress falls on the second syllable, so an accent is required: cuí-.
Pronoun Placement
In affirmative commands, object pronouns (here the reflexive "te") are attached to the verb.
🗨In Conversation
Cuídate.
Take care.
¡Gracias, tú también!
Thanks, you too!
✕Common Mistakes
Cuidate.
Missing accent on the í changes the stress and makes the word orthographically incorrect.
Cuida.
Without the reflexive pronoun "te" the phrase loses the meaning "take care of yourself".
Cuídese.
This is the formal version; using it with a close friend can sound overly stiff.
↔Alternatives
Cuídate mucho.
Take good care of yourself.
Que te vaya bien.
Hope things go well for you.
Cuídese.
Take care (formal).
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, "Cuídate" is a common, warm sign‑off, especially after a conversation about health or when saying goodbye for a while. It’s informal, so reserve "Cuídese" for elders, teachers, or professional settings.