Taking Care of Things in Spanish

As someone learning Spanish, it’s important to know how to express basic actions like “taking care of” something or someone. The Spanish language has a few different ways to say this that are good to know.

The Phrase “Tomar Cuidado De”

One of the most common ways to say “take care of” in Spanish is “tomar cuidado de.” This phrase uses the verb “tomar” which means “to take” and pairs it with the noun “cuidado” meaning “care”

Some examples of using this phrase would be

• Tomo cuidado de mis padres mayores. (I take care of my elderly parents.)

• Ella tomó cuidado de sus hijos mientras yo trabajaba. (She took care of her kids while I was at work.)

• ¿Puedes tomar cuidado de mi perro este fin de semana? (Can you take care of my dog this weekend?)

This phrase puts the focus on carefully doing or managing the care of someone or something. It has a sense of responsibility attached.

Using the Verb “Cuidar”

Another very common way to say “take care of” in Spanish is simply using the verb “cuidar.” This verb directly means “to care for” or “to look after.”

Some examples are:

• Cuido a mis abuelos envejecientes. (I take care of my aging grandparents.)

• Ella cuidaba a los niños cada tarde. (She took care of the children every afternoon.)

• Cuida bien de tu hermana menor mientras estamos fuera. (Take good care of your little sister while we’re away.)

The verb “cuidar” is very versatile and can be used for people, pets, plants, objects, and more. It’s a handy one-word way to say “take care of” casually.

Using “Encargarse De”

The phrase “encargarse de” is another option that means “to take care of” or “to be in charge of.” It implies responsibility but in a more formal or business sense.

Some examples:

• Me encargo de las finanzas de la empresa. (I take care of the company’s finances.)

• El gerente se encargará de resolver el problema. (The manager will take care of fixing the problem.)

• ¿Quién se encargará de servir la comida en el evento? (Who will take care of serving the food at the event?)

This phrase comes across as more official and task-oriented than just using “cuidar.” It’s good for formal instructions or assigned duties.

Other Helpful Phrases

Some other phrases that can express the idea of “taking care of” in certain contexts are:

• Hacerse cargo de (to take charge of)
• Atender (to attend to, look after)
• Velar por (to watch over, safeguard)
• Ocuparse de (to deal with, take care of)