In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe being reckless or failing to pay attention.
- Very common in daily life, from safety to social mistakes.
- Easily conjugated and works in almost any conversation setting.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe someone being careless or failing to pay attention. It's like saying someone 'dropped the ball' or didn't watch their step.
Key Examples
3 of 6Warning a friend about a wet floor
Se você não tomar cuidado, vai escorregar na cozinha.
If you aren't careful, you'll slip in the kitchen.
Admitting a mistake at the office
Eu não tomei cuidado e apaguei o arquivo errado.
I wasn't careful and deleted the wrong file.
Texting about a broken phone screen
Não tomei cuidado com o celular e a tela quebrou.
I wasn't careful with my phone and the screen broke.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'Cuidado' signs are everywhere, but often ignored. There is a cultural concept of 'confiança' (trust/confidence) that sometimes leads people to 'não tomar cuidado' because they believe they can handle the risk. In Portugal, the phrase is often used in a more literal, somber way. Public safety announcements in the Metro or at train stations frequently use 'tome cuidado' to avoid 'não tomar cuidado' accidents. In Angolan Portuguese, you might hear 'não prestar atenção' more frequently in schools, but 'não tomar cuidado' remains the standard for physical danger. In many African Portuguese-speaking countries, 'cuidado' is deeply linked to community responsibility. Not taking care is seen as a failure to the group.
Use 'com'
Always remember to link the phrase to the object of carelessness using 'com'.
False Friend
Don't use 'fazer cuidado'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating from French or English.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe being reckless or failing to pay attention.
- Very common in daily life, from safety to social mistakes.
- Easily conjugated and works in almost any conversation setting.
What It Means
Não tomar cuidado is the direct opposite of being cautious. It means you are acting without thinking about risks. It implies a lack of focus or awareness. Think of it as being on autopilot when you shouldn't be. It covers everything from physical accidents to social blunders.
How To Use It
You use it just like a regular verb phrase. You can conjugate tomar to fit any person or tense. If you want to say 'I wasn't careful,' you say eu não tomei cuidado. It's very flexible and fits into most sentences easily. You can also add com to specify what you aren't being careful with. For example, não tomar cuidado com o celular means being reckless with your phone.
When To Use It
Use it when someone is being clumsy or reckless. It works perfectly when warning a friend about a slippery floor. It’s also great for discussing mistakes at work. If you forgot to double-check an email, you não tomou cuidado. Use it in texting when a friend tells you they broke something. It’s a common, everyday way to describe a lapse in judgment.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for deep moral failings or intentional malice. It’s about negligence, not being a bad person. If someone hurts you on purpose, this phrase is too light. Also, avoid it in extremely poetic or flowery literature. It’s a practical, grounded expression for real-life mishaps. Don't use it if you want to sound overly sophisticated or academic.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value social harmony and safety. Using não tomar cuidado is a common way to gently scold someone. It’s often used by parents and grandparents as a constant refrain. It reflects a culture that cares about protecting belongings and people. There’s a sense of 'I told you so' often attached to this phrase. It’s the bread and butter of daily safety warnings in Lusophone homes.
Common Variations
You might hear não ter cuidado, which means the same thing. In slang, people might say dar mole for being careless. Ficar moscando is another funny way to say you aren't paying attention. However, não tomar cuidado remains the most standard and widely understood version. It’s the safe bet for any conversation.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-register collocation. It is safe for use with friends, family, and colleagues. The key is to conjugate the verb 'tomar' correctly according to the tense you need.
Use 'com'
Always remember to link the phrase to the object of carelessness using 'com'.
False Friend
Don't use 'fazer cuidado'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating from French or English.
Brazilian Slang
If you want to sound like a local in Rio, use 'Não dá mole!' instead of 'Tome cuidado!'
Mothers
If a Brazilian mother says 'Você não tomou cuidado!', be prepared for a long lecture.
Examples
6Se você não tomar cuidado, vai escorregar na cozinha.
If you aren't careful, you'll slip in the kitchen.
A classic safety warning using the future tense.
Eu não tomei cuidado e apaguei o arquivo errado.
I wasn't careful and deleted the wrong file.
Professional but honest admission of a mistake.
Não tomei cuidado com o celular e a tela quebrou.
I wasn't careful with my phone and the screen broke.
Common informal way to explain an accident.
Você nunca toma cuidado com suas roupas novas!
You never take care of your new clothes!
Expresses frustration over repeated negligence.
Ele não tomou cuidado e acabou entrando no ônibus errado.
He wasn't careful and ended up getting on the wrong bus.
Used to describe a harmless but silly mistake.
É importante tomar cuidado, mas se não tomar cuidado com a bolsa, pode ser roubado.
It's important to be careful, but if you aren't careful with your bag, it might be stolen.
Serious advice regarding safety in crowded places.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'não tomar cuidado' in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito).
Eu ______ (não tomar cuidado) com o degrau e caí.
The subject 'Eu' requires the first-person singular conjugation 'tomei'.
Which preposition usually follows 'não tomar cuidado'?
Ela não tomou cuidado ___ o trânsito.
In Portuguese, you take care 'with' (com) something.
Choose the most natural response.
A: 'Por que o seu celular está quebrado?' B: '_________________.'
This is the most standard and natural way to explain a careless accident.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A manager talking to an employee about a data error.
This correctly identifies a lack of professional attention.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tomar Cuidado vs. Não Tomar Cuidado
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ______ (não tomar cuidado) com o degrau e caí.
The subject 'Eu' requires the first-person singular conjugation 'tomei'.
Ela não tomou cuidado ___ o trânsito.
In Portuguese, you take care 'with' (com) something.
A: 'Por que o seu celular está quebrado?' B: '_________________.'
This is the most standard and natural way to explain a careless accident.
Situation: A manager talking to an employee about a data error.
This correctly identifies a lack of professional attention.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.
Yes, it is a perfect synonym, very common in Portugal.
The opposite is 'tomar cuidado' or 'ser cuidadoso'.
Say 'Eu não tomei cuidado'.
Usually no. For health, use 'não se cuidar'.
Yes, like 'não tomar cuidado com os sentimentos de alguém'.
It is masculine (o cuidado).
It's a Brazilian slang for being careless or making a mistake.
Just shout 'Cuidado!'
Yes, especially in songs about regret or accidents.
Yes, it's the most common phrase for driving safety.
The preposition is 'com'.
Only slightly in the verb preference (ter vs tomar) and the gerund use.
Yes, but 'negligência' might be better for very formal writing.
Related Phrases
prestar atenção
synonymTo pay attention
dar mole
synonymTo be careless (slang)
vacilar
synonymTo slip up / to fail
ter cautela
similarTo have caution
negligenciar
specialized formTo neglect
