care
gb/kˈɛɹ/ us/kˈɛɹ/
A2
English
~ 1600
törődik, érdekel, gondoskodik, gondoz, ápol, gondozás, ellátás, ápolás, törődés, gondosság, körültekintés, óvatosság
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to care about [someone/something]
She really cares about the environment.
Nagyon törődik a környezettel.
I don't care what people think of me.
Nem érdekel, mit gondolnak rólam az emberek.
He cares deeply for his family.
Do you care if I open the window?
They care a lot about animal welfare.
Learner examples
I care about my friends.
Törődöm a barátaimmal.
She cares about her dog.
Törődik a kutyájával.
Do you care about this movie?
He cares about his work.
We care about our school.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'care about' with 'care for'. 'Care about' means to have feelings or concern; 'care for' can mean to like something or to look after someone.
Meaning
feel interest or concern
Collocations
care deeply
|care passionately
|care enough
|care about
|care for
Synonyms
mind (Less emotional, more about paying attention or noticing.)
|
be concerned (Focuses on worry or responsibility rather than affection.)
Antonyms
ignore (To not give attention or concern to something.)
|
disregard (To pay no attention to something on purpose.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To feel that someone or something is important and to want to help, protect, or think about them.
To feel interest, concern, or regard for someone or something and be affected by their condition or situation.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to care for [someone/something]
She stayed home to care for her mother.
Otthon maradt, hogy gondoskodjon az édesanyjáról.
Nurses care for patients in the hospital.
A kórházban a nővérek ápolják a betegeket.
He cares for his garden every weekend.
They care for abandoned animals.
We need more people to care for the elderly.
Learner examples
I care for my baby.
Gondoskodom a kisbabámról.
She cares for her grandfather.
Gondoskodik a nagyapjáról.
We care for our dog.
He cares for the plants.
They care for sick people.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'care about' instead of 'care for' when talking about physical help. 'Care for' means to look after; 'care about' means to feel concern.
Meaning
look after someone/something
Collocations
care for the sick
|care for children
|care for elderly
|care for pets
Synonyms
look after (Informal and common in British English.)
|
tend (Slightly more formal, often used in medical or agricultural contexts.)
Antonyms
neglect (To fail to give the necessary care or attention.)
Themes
daily life
|health
|relationships
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To look after someone or something by giving what they need.
To provide for the needs of someone or something and keep them safe and healthy.
NOUN
A2
3
The patient is under the doctor's care.
A beteg az orvos gondozása alatt áll.
Good dental care is important for children.
A megfelelő fogápolás fontos a gyerekek számára.
She received excellent care during her stay in hospital.
Proper care will make your clothes last longer.
Child care can be very expensive.
Learner examples
The dog is under my care.
A kutyáról én gondoskodom.
Child care is important.
A gyermekgondozás fontos.
He needs medical care.
Plants need care to grow.
I give good care to my cat.
Meaning
looking after someone/something
Collocations
under someone's care
|medical care
|child care
|take care of
Synonyms
protection (Emphasizes keeping someone safe rather than daily needs.)
|
supervision (Focuses on watching over rather than actively helping.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failure to provide necessary attention or help.)
Themes
daily life
|health
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When you look after someone or something and give what they need to be well.
The action or process of providing what someone or something needs to stay safe and healthy.
NOUN
B1
4
törődés
B2
His voice was full of care when he spoke to her.
A hangja tele volt törődéssel, amikor beszélt hozzá.
She has a genuine care for the community.
Őszinte törődést érez a közösség iránt.
They treated the object with great care.
Care for others is essential in this job.
He showed no care for the rules.
Learner examples
I have care for my family.
Törődöm a családommal.
She shows care for her friends.
Törődést mutat a barátai iránt.
He has no care for the rules.
We need more care in our world.
Care is important in friendship.
Meaning
feeling of concern/affection
Collocations
show care
|with great care
|genuine care
Synonyms
concern (Can imply worry rather than affection.)
|
affection (Focuses more on warm feelings than responsibility.)
Antonyms
indifference (Lack of interest or concern.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When you feel that someone or something is important and you want them to be happy or safe.
A feeling of concern, interest, or affection towards someone or something.
NOUN
A2
5
Please handle these glasses with great care.
Kérlek, nagyon óvatosan bánj ezekkel a poharakkal.
The work must be done with care and precision.
A munkát gondosan és pontosan kell elvégezni.
Take extra care when crossing the street at night.
Care is needed when dealing with chemicals.
He packed the items with great care.
Learner examples
I made this with care.
Ezt gondosan készítettem.
Please use care when driving.
Kérlek, vezess óvatosan.
She works with great care.
We should take care crossing the road.
Handle it with care.
Meaning
attention to avoid mistakes/harm
Collocations
with great care
|take care when
Synonyms
caution (Implies warning and avoidance of danger.)
|
attentiveness (General focus and awareness, not necessarily safety-related.)
Antonyms
carelessness (Lack of attention that may cause harm or mistakes.)
Themes
safety
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
When you are careful so you do not make mistakes or cause harm.
The use of serious attention and thought when doing something to prevent errors or accidents.
Grammar
Dictionary form
care
IPA
GB/kˈɛɹ/
US/kˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
care (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (care)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: care
- Plural: care, cares
Verb
- Base: care
- 3rd Person Singular: cares
- Present Participle: caring
- Past: cared
Word family
Forms
cares
noun
caring
verb
cared
verb
Related words
carer
noun
caregiver
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
carelessness
noun B1
carefree
adjective B2
Expressions
care about
1/kˈɛɹ əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
feel interest/concern for something
To feel that something is important and worth your attention or concern.
Examples
- I really care about the environment.
- They don't seem to care about the rules.
care for
1/kˈɛɹ fɚ/
fixed phrase
look after / like someone/something
To look after someone or something; also sometimes means to like someone or something in a gentle way.
Examples
- She cares for her elderly parents at home.
- Would you care for some tea?
take care
1/tˈeɪk kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
be careful / goodbye wish
Be careful not to get hurt or have problems; also used to say goodbye and wish someone well.
Examples
- Take care when walking on the icy path.
- Thanks for visiting—take care!
couldn't care less
1/kˈʊdənt kˈɛɹ lˈɛs/
idiom
informal
Not care at all about something
To not care at all about something; to have no interest in it.
Examples
- I couldn't care less about what they think.
- She couldn't care less about fashion trends.
couldn't care less
2/kˈʊdənt kˈɛɹ lˈɛs/
idiom
informal
have no interest/concern at all
To not be interested in or worried about something at all.
Examples
- I couldn't care less about sports.
- She couldn't care less what they think.
take care of
1/tˈeɪk kˈɛɹ əv/
fixed phrase
Look after someone or something
To look after someone or something and keep them safe or in good condition.
Examples
- I will take care of your plants while you are away.
- I'll take care of the kids while you're out.
- She takes care of her younger brother every afternoon.
- Don't worry—I'll take care of it.