A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Take care of yourself" in Spanish
A warm and caring way to say goodbye, wishing someone well and encouraging them to stay safe.
Cuídate mucho
Kwee-dah-teh MOO-chohcasual
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when parting from someone you care about, like a friend or family member. It's a step beyond a simple 'adiós' and shows genuine concern for their well-being.
Alternatives
- Que te vaya bienMore general well-wishing for a specific situation.
- Pórtate bienOften used for children, meaning 'behave yourself'.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'cuidar' with 'cure'
'Cuidar' means to take care of or look after, not to medically cure.
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
You need 'te' to show you're telling the person to take care of themselves.
A small cultural note
Adding 'mucho' emphasizes the sincerity of your wish for their well-being. It's a common and heartfelt addition.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 'cuídate' and 'cuídate mucho'?
'Cuídate' is a basic 'take care.' Adding 'mucho' makes it warmer and more emphatic, like 'take good care of yourself.'
Can I use 'cuídate mucho' for strangers?
It's generally too personal for strangers unless you've had a particularly warm interaction. Stick to simpler goodbyes in most formal or brief encounters.
How do I say 'take care' formally?
For a formal setting, you'd typically use 'Cuídese mucho' (using the 'usted' form) or a more general polite closing like 'Que tenga un buen día.'
How do Mexicans say take care?
In Mexico, you can say 'Cuídate mucho' which means 'take care of yourself a lot'.
How do you say you need to take care of yourself in Spanish?
You can say 'Necesitas cuidarte' or 'Debes cuidarte', both meaning 'You need to take care of yourself'.
How do you tell someone to take care of themselves in Spanish?
The most common way is 'Cuídate', which is the informal imperative form of the verb 'cuidar' (to take care).
How do you say 'take care of yourself' politely?
For politeness, use the formal imperative: 'Cuídese usted'.
