FRAGILE -- HANDLE WITH CARE

When translating the verb CUIDAR DE, the easiest choice is TO LOOK AFTER. The noun is CARE (she’ll need a lot of care for a while). CARE can also be a verb, but

- you need to be careful what proposition you combine it with

-the meaning can change from cuidar de to preocuparse por, importar, etc.

The following examples show you the most common uses of these words and expressions:

TAKE CARE (OF)

Who’s going to take care of your plants/the children/ the house while you are away?

Take care! (cuídate)

She’s too old to take care of herself.

Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that. (yo me encargo)

CARE (ABOUT)

I don’t care how long it takes, it’s got to be done!

She never cared much about her clothes (similar to worry)

They really care about social issues.

CARE FOR

It’s similar to look after or take care of, but is used for people or animals that are very sick, very young, very old, etc.

To care for your elderly parents, to care for the baby while the mother is in hospital.

At this stage, I recommend using look after and take care of.