careful
gb/kˈɛɹfəl/ us/kˈɛɹfəl/
A2
English
~ 1900
óvatos, gondos, alapos
A2
1
óvatos
A2
Usage pattern:
to be careful [when/with/about something]
Be careful when crossing the busy street.
Légy óvatos, amikor átmész a forgalmas utcán.
She was careful to lock all the doors before leaving.
Ügyelt rá, hogy indulás előtt minden ajtót bezárjon.
We need to be careful about how we spend our budget.
He is always careful with his words during meetings.
Please be careful not to spill the coffee.
Learner examples
Be careful with that knife.
Óvatosan bánj azzal a késsel.
He is careful when he drives.
Óvatosan vezet.
Please be careful with my phone.
She is careful about what she eats.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'careful' with 'careless' due to similar spelling but opposite meanings.
Meaning
Taking care to avoid harm or errors
Collocations
careful planning
|careful consideration
|be careful with
|careful attention
|careful examination
Synonyms
cautious (Emphasizes awareness of possible danger and acting slowly or deliberately.)
|
attentive (Focuses more on paying close attention, not necessarily to avoid harm.)
Antonyms
careless (Not giving enough attention or thought, often resulting in mistakes or harm.)
Themes
daily life
|safety
|work
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Using a lot of attention so that you do not make mistakes or cause harm.
Exercising attention and caution to prevent harm, damage, or mistakes.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
a careful [plan/study/examination]
The report was the result of careful research.
A jelentés gondos kutatómunka eredménye volt.
He gave the matter careful thought before deciding.
Alaposan átgondolta a dolgot, mielőtt döntött.
We made a careful study of the market trends.
Her careful handwriting was easy to read.
Learner examples
He did a careful check of the work.
Alaposan ellenőrizte a munkát.
We made a careful plan for the trip.
Gondos tervet készítettünk az utazáshoz.
She gave a careful answer to the question.
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'careful' here when 'detailed' is more precise; context matters.
Meaning
Paying close attention to detail
Collocations
careful analysis
|careful research
|careful consideration
|careful preparation
Synonyms
meticulous (Stronger sense of extreme attention to detail.)
|
thorough (Emphasizes completeness more than caution.)
Antonyms
sloppy (Careless and lacking in attention to detail.)
Themes
work
|study
|quality
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Doing something with a lot of thought and detail so it is correct.
Marked by thoroughness and precision in action or work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
careful
IPA
GB/kˈɛɹfəl/
US/kˈɛɹfəl/
Syllables & stress
care - ful (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (care)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: careful
Word family
Related words
caring
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
carefulness
noun
Expressions
be careful with your words
1/bˈi kˈɛɹfəl wˈɪθ jˈʊɹ wˈɚdz/
fixed phrase
Speak cautiously to avoid problems
Think before you speak so you don't upset someone or cause problems.
Examples
- Be careful with your words during the meeting; the topic is sensitive.
- He was careful with his words when talking to the press.
careful consideration
1/kˈɛɹfəl kənsˌɪdɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Thorough thought before deciding
Thinking a lot about something before making a decision.
Examples
- After careful consideration, we decided to move forward with the plan.
- The offer will be accepted only after careful consideration.
be careful what you wish for
1/bˈi kˈɛɹfəl wˈʌt jˈu wˈɪʃ fɚ/
idiom
Warning that desires may backfire
Used to warn someone that they might not like what happens if they get what they want.
Examples
- You want more responsibility? Be careful what you wish for—it might be more work than you think.
- He wanted fame, but now he hates the attention—be careful what you wish for.
- She got the promotion, but now she's stressed all the time. Be careful what you wish for.
- Be careful what you wish for; winning the lottery isn't always a blessing.