take care
Look after
حرفيًا: Accept or carry responsibility for safety
Use `take care` to end a conversation warmly while showing you value the other person's safety and health.
في 15 ثانية
- A warm way to say goodbye and wish someone well.
- Use it as a standalone phrase or with 'of' plus a noun.
- Perfect for friends, family, and friendly work colleagues.
المعنى
This phrase is used to tell someone to be safe and look after themselves. It is a warm way to say goodbye or to show you care about someone's well-being.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Saying goodbye to a friend after coffee
It was great seeing you, take care!
It was great seeing you, look after yourself!
Ending a professional but friendly email
Thanks for the update. Take care, Sarah.
Thanks for the update. Best wishes, Sarah.
Texting a friend who is going on a long hike
Have fun on the mountain and take care!
Have fun and stay safe!
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase gained massive popularity in the mid-20th century as a less stiff alternative to 'farewell'. In many English-speaking cultures, it serves as a 'social glue' that maintains a friendly connection even in professional settings. It is particularly common in North America as a standard closing for both spoken and written communication.
The 'Of' Rule
If you add an object (like a person or a pet), you MUST use 'of'. 'Take care your mom' is wrong; 'Take care of your mom' is perfect.
Don't use it as a greeting
Never walk into a room and say 'Take care!' People will think you are leaving immediately or that you're very confused.
في 15 ثانية
- A warm way to say goodbye and wish someone well.
- Use it as a standalone phrase or with 'of' plus a noun.
- Perfect for friends, family, and friendly work colleagues.
What It Means
Take care is a versatile English expression that acts like a warm hug in word form. At its heart, it means you want the other person to be safe and healthy. It is most commonly used when saying goodbye. It shows you aren't just leaving; you actually care what happens to them after you go. It is much warmer than a simple bye.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone goodbye. Just say Take care! as you walk out the door. You can also use it with the word of. If you say take care of, you must follow it with a person or thing. For example, take care of yourself or take care of the cat. It is very flexible. You can say it, text it, or write it in an email. It fits almost everywhere.
When To Use It
Use it when you are finishing a conversation with a friend. It is great for ending a phone call with your parents. Use it in a work email to show you are a friendly colleague. It is perfect when someone is going on a trip. If a friend is feeling sick, saying take care is a must. It tells them to rest and get better.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you are in a huge rush and being very brief. It might sound too soft if you are giving a strict command. Avoid using it if you are actually angry with someone. Saying take care while slamming a door feels very sarcastic! Also, don't use it at the very start of a meeting. It is almost always a 'closing' phrase, not an 'opening' one.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, this phrase became very popular in the 1960s and 70s. It reflects a shift toward more personal and caring social interactions. In the UK and US, it is a standard way to end a chat without being too formal. It bridges the gap between 'business' and 'friendship'. It suggests that the community looks out for one another. It is the verbal equivalent of a friendly wave.
Common Variations
You will often hear Take care now! in the Southern United States. Some people just say Careful! if there is immediate danger. A very common version is Take it easy, which is more relaxed. If you want to be extra sweet, you say Take good care. In emails, people often just write Best, or Regards, but Take care adds a nice personal touch.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is highly adaptable across all levels of formality except the most rigid legal or military contexts. Remember that 'take care' (goodbye) and 'take care of' (responsibility) are the two main ways to use this collocation.
The 'Of' Rule
If you add an object (like a person or a pet), you MUST use 'of'. 'Take care your mom' is wrong; 'Take care of your mom' is perfect.
Don't use it as a greeting
Never walk into a room and say 'Take care!' People will think you are leaving immediately or that you're very confused.
The Southern Twist
In the Southern US, people often add 'now' to the end: 'Take care, now!' It makes the phrase sound even more hospitable and warm.
أمثلة
6It was great seeing you, take care!
It was great seeing you, look after yourself!
Used here as a warm, casual goodbye.
Thanks for the update. Take care, Sarah.
Thanks for the update. Best wishes, Sarah.
Softens the tone of a business email.
Have fun on the mountain and take care!
Have fun and stay safe!
Focuses on physical safety during an activity.
Please take care of my hamster while I am on vacation.
Please look after my hamster while I am away.
Using 'take care of' to assign a responsibility.
Take care not to trip over your own feet today!
Try not to fall over today!
Uses the phrase playfully to tease a friend.
I'm so sorry for your loss; please take care of yourself.
I'm sorry; please look after your mental and physical health.
A deeply sincere and supportive use of the phrase.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence.
Can you take care ___ my plants while I'm in London?
We use 'take care of' when we are talking about looking after a specific person, animal, or object.
Identify the best situation to use 'Take care!' as a standalone phrase.
___! I'll see you next week at the gym.
'Take care' is used as a closing or goodbye, making it the only logical choice here.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Spectrum of 'Take Care'
Texting a best friend
Take care, dude!
Leaving a coffee shop
Thanks, take care!
Closing a business letter
Take care, Sincerely, John.
When to say 'Take Care'
Ending a phone call
Talk soon, take care!
Someone is sick
Rest up and take care.
A friend is traveling
Safe flight, take care!
Leaving work
See you tomorrow, take care.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend, and it will sound appropriate in both cases.
Yes, it is a very common and friendly way to sign off an email, especially if you know the person a little bit.
'Take care' is a general wish for well-being, while 'be careful' is a specific warning about a danger, like a slippery floor.
The most common response is 'You too!' or 'Thanks, you too!'
Yes, you can say 'I am taking care of my dog.' It means you are providing food, shelter, and love.
It is used globally in the English-speaking world, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
It is a type of goodbye, but it adds a layer of kindness and concern that a plain 'bye' doesn't have.
No, that is a common mistake. The correct preposition is always 'of', as in take care of yourself.
It usually sounds sarcastic if you are angry. It's better to use a different phrase if you aren't feeling friendly.
Yes, you can say 'I will take care of that report,' which means you will handle the responsibility of finishing it.
عبارات ذات صلة
Look after
To keep someone or something safe and provided for.
Take it easy
A relaxed way to say goodbye or tell someone to relax.
Watch out
A warning to be alert for immediate danger.
Mind yourself
An Irish/British variation meaning to be careful or behave.
Keep safe
A more modern variation often used during times of health concerns or travel.
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