Caring for others in Spanish

The idea

Cuidar means to care for. It has regular present forms such as cuido and cuidamos. A person as direct object normally takes a: cuido a mi abuela.

Examples

• Cuido a mi abuela los sábados.I care for my grandmother on Saturdays.
• ¿Cuidas al gato de tu vecino?Do you care for your neighbour’s cat?
• Mi hermana cuida las plantas del balcón.My sister cares for the plants on the balcony.
• Cuidamos a los niños después de clase.We look after the children after class.
• El veterinario cuida al perro enfermo.The vet cares for the sick dog.
• Mis amigos cuidan el huerto comunitario.My friends look after the community garden.

Watch out

Do not omit a before a specific person: say cuido a mi abuela.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct form: Yo ___ a mi hermano hoy. (cuido / cuidan)

   Show answer or example answer

   cuido

   cuido identifies the speaker.

2. Choose the correct form: Nosotros ___ las flores. (cuidamos / cuidas)

   Show answer or example answer

   cuidamos

   cuidamos includes the speaker and others.

3. Choose the correct form: Ellas ___ al bebé. (cuidan / cuida)

   Show answer or example answer

   cuidan

   cuidan agrees with the plural subject.

Use it today

Describe a person, animal or plant you care for.