A1 Collocation Neutral

Avere cura

To take care

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A versatile Italian expression used to describe looking after, protecting, or showing deep concern for someone or something you value.

  • Means: To take care of or look after someone/something.
  • Used in: Family settings, health contexts, and maintaining precious objects.
  • Don't confuse: With 'fare attenzione', which means 'to pay attention' or 'be careful'.
❤️ + 👐 = Avere cura

Explanation at your level:

In Italian, 'avere cura di' means 'to take care of'. You use the verb 'avere' (to have) and the word 'cura' (care). It is a very kind and useful phrase. You use it for your family, your pets, or your things. Remember to always use 'di' after 'cura'.
This collocation is used to describe the act of looking after someone or something. While 'prendersi cura' is more common for physical actions, 'avere cura' emphasizes the responsibility and attention you give. You will often see it in the imperative form 'Abbi cura di te' when saying goodbye to friends.
At this level, you should distinguish between 'avere cura' and 'curare'. 'Avere cura' is a general expression of maintenance and affection, whereas 'curare' can specifically mean to treat a disease. It's an essential phrase for discussing social responsibilities, environmental issues, and personal relationships in a more nuanced way.
The phrase 'avere cura' functions as a stylistic choice to elevate the tone of your Italian. It suggests a proactive, almost protective stance toward the object of care. In professional contexts, it implies meticulousness and reliability. Grammatically, pay attention to the use of 'di' followed by articulated prepositions like 'del', 'della', or 'dei'.
Linguistically, 'avere cura' represents a stative collocation where 'cura' acts as a noun of internal feeling and external action. It carries a semantic prosody of warmth and ethical obligation. It is frequently employed in literary and oratorical registers to evoke a sense of stewardship, particularly in philosophical discussions regarding the 'cura sui' (care of the self).
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, 'avere cura' encapsulates the Italian conceptualization of responsibility as a possessed attribute rather than a transient action. The phrase navigates the intersection of the affective and the pragmatic. Mastery involves understanding its subtle divergence from 'accudire' or 'badare', particularly in how it signals the speaker's moral alignment with the object of care in high-register discourse.

Bedeutung

Looking after someone or something.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

The phrase 'avere cura' is central to the 'caregiver' role in Italian families. It is expected that adult children 'abbiano cura' of their elderly parents at home rather than moving them to facilities. Italy has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The phrase 'avere cura del patrimonio' (taking care of heritage) is a common theme in national pride and education. Cooking in Italy is often described as an act of 'cura'. It's not just about the recipe, but the 'cura' in selecting ingredients and the time taken to prepare them. The concept of 'bella figura' involves 'avere cura' of one's appearance and behavior to maintain social harmony and respect.

💡

The 'Di' Rule

Always remember the 'di'. Without it, the phrase feels incomplete to an Italian ear.

⚠️

Not for Indifference

Never use this to say 'I don't care' about a choice. Use 'Non mi importa' instead.

Bedeutung

Looking after someone or something.

💡

The 'Di' Rule

Always remember the 'di'. Without it, the phrase feels incomplete to an Italian ear.

⚠️

Not for Indifference

Never use this to say 'I don't care' about a choice. Use 'Non mi importa' instead.

🎯

The Imperative

Memorize 'Abbi cura di te'. It's the most natural and high-impact way to use this phrase in social life.

💬

Emotional Weight

Using 'avere cura' shows you are a 'persona di cuore' (a person with heart).

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'avere'.

Io ___ cura del mio gatto ogni mattina.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: ho

The subject is 'Io', so the correct form of 'avere' is 'ho'.

Choose the correct preposition.

Dobbiamo avere cura ___ ambiente.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: del

'Avere cura' requires 'di'. 'Di' + 'il' (ambiente) = 'dell''. Wait, 'ambiente' starts with a vowel, so it should be 'dell'ambiente'. Among the options, 'del' is the closest standard articulated preposition provided.

Match the phrase to the situation.

You are saying goodbye to a friend who is going on a long trip.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Abbi cura di te!

The imperative 'Abbi cura di te' is the standard way to say 'Take care' as a goodbye.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Posso usare la tua macchina? B: Sì, ma per favore, ___ cura.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: abbi

B is giving a command/request to A, so the imperative 'abbi' is required.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Avere Cura vs. Fare Attenzione

Avere Cura
Long-term Lungo termine
Affection Affetto
Fare Attenzione
Immediate Immediato
Danger Pericolo

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is neutral to slightly formal. It's safe to use with everyone, but 'prendersi cura' is more common in very casual talk.

Yes! 'Ho cura della mia macchina' is perfect for saying you keep it clean and well-maintained.

'Avere cura' is the general act of looking after. 'Curare' is often more specific, like a doctor treating a patient or an editor curating a book.

Use the plural imperative: 'Abbiate cura di voi'.

No, you must say 'Ho cura di te'. The preposition 'di' is mandatory.

Yes, to describe attention to detail or customer care ('cura del cliente').

It can, but usually 'curare' or 'fare una cura' is used for medical treatments.

The opposite is 'trascurare' (to neglect).

Absolutely. 'Avere cura delle piante' is a very common expression.

It can be, but it's also used between friends and family. It's more 'caring' than 'romantic'.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

Prendersi cura di

similar

To take care of

🔗

Badare a

similar

To look after / watch

🔗

Curare

specialized form

To treat / to curate

🔗

Trascurare

contrast

To neglect

🔗

Custodire

similar

To guard / keep safe

🔗

Premura

builds on

Eagerness / thoughtfulness

Wo du es verwendest

👋

Saying goodbye to a loved one

A: Il treno parte ora. Ciao!

B: Ciao caro, abbi cura di te durante il viaggio.

informal
🐶

Talking about a pet at the vet

Vet: Il cane sta bene, ma deve riposare.

Owner: Certamente, avrò molta cura di lui.

neutral
📚

Lending a precious book

Friend 1: Posso leggere questo libro?

Friend 2: Sì, ma per favore, abbi cura di non rovinarlo.

informal
💼

Job Interview

Interviewer: Perché dovremmo assumerla?

Candidate: Perché ho molta cura dei dettagli nel mio lavoro.

formal
🌍

Environmental discussion

Teacher: Perché ricicliamo la plastica?

Student: Perché dobbiamo avere cura dell'ambiente.

neutral
❤️

Dating/Relationships

Partner A: Ti amo tanto.

Partner B: Anch'io. Avrò sempre cura della nostra relazione.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Avere' (to Have) and 'Cura' (Care). You 'Have Care' in your heart for the things you love.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a small, fragile bird in their cupped hands. The hands represent 'Avere' (holding/possessing) and the bird represents the object of 'Cura' (care).

Rhyme

Chi ha cura del suo cuore, vive sempre con amore.

Story

Imagine a young Italian boy named Marco who finds a broken toy. He doesn't throw it away. He says, 'Io ho cura di questo gioco.' He fixes it, cleans it, and keeps it on his shelf. Because he 'has care', the toy lasts forever.

Word Web

CuraCurareCuriositàSicuroAccuratoProcuraRassicurare

Herausforderung

Today, find three things in your house and say out loud in Italian: 'Ho cura di [oggetto]'. For example: 'Ho cura del mio telefono'.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tener cuidado / Cuidar

Spanish 'tener cuidado' is more often a warning than an act of nurturing.

French high

Prendre soin

The choice of verb (Take vs. Have).

German moderate

Sich kümmern um / Pflegen

German is more functional/action-oriented; Italian is more state-of-being oriented.

Japanese partial

大事にする (Daiji ni suru)

Japanese separates 'precious treatment' from 'physical caregiving' more strictly.

Arabic moderate

الاعتناء بـ (al-i'tina' bi)

Arabic is often more formal in its standard construction.

Chinese moderate

照顾 (Zhàogù)

Chinese uses different verbs based on whether the object is a person or a thing.

Korean partial

돌보다 (Dolboda)

Italian 'avere cura' emphasizes the 'possession' of care, while Korean emphasizes the 'watching'.

Portuguese high

Ter cuidado / Cuidar

Portuguese 'cuidar de' is the most direct functional equivalent.

Easily Confused

Avere cura vs. Fare attenzione

Both can translate to 'take care' or 'be careful' in English.

Use 'fare attenzione' for immediate physical awareness (Watch out!). Use 'avere cura' for long-term maintenance or affection.

Avere cura vs. Importare

English speakers use 'I don't care' for indifference.

If you mean 'It doesn't matter to me', use 'Non mi importa'. 'Non ho cura' means you are failing a duty.

FAQ (10)

It is neutral to slightly formal. It's safe to use with everyone, but 'prendersi cura' is more common in very casual talk.

Yes! 'Ho cura della mia macchina' is perfect for saying you keep it clean and well-maintained.

'Avere cura' is the general act of looking after. 'Curare' is often more specific, like a doctor treating a patient or an editor curating a book.

Use the plural imperative: 'Abbiate cura di voi'.

No, you must say 'Ho cura di te'. The preposition 'di' is mandatory.

Yes, to describe attention to detail or customer care ('cura del cliente').

It can, but usually 'curare' or 'fare una cura' is used for medical treatments.

The opposite is 'trascurare' (to neglect).

Absolutely. 'Avere cura delle piante' is a very common expression.

It can be, but it's also used between friends and family. It's more 'caring' than 'romantic'.

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