How do you say "To be careful" in Japanese?

"To be careful" in Japanese is "気をつけます". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘To be careful’ in Japanese

Q: What does "気をつけます" mean in English?

"気をつけます" means "To be careful" in English. Usage tip: [気をつけます] means “I’ll be careful / I’ll watch out.” It’s a standard apology-follow-up promise.

気をつけます

ki o tsuke masu

[kee oh tsoo-keh mah-su]

💬 Usage Tip: [気をつけます] means “I’ll be careful / I’ll watch out.” It’s a standard apology-follow-up promise.

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a conventional “I’ll improve” line. People may say it even if change is gradual—so document times if the problem continues.

Phrase Breakdown

気

[kee]

attention; care; mind

気 is the object of the phrase 気をつける (“to be careful / mindful”). Often used when promising to avoid repeating a problem.

Example

これから気をつけます。

I’ll be careful from now on.

を

[oh]

object marker (o)

Marks 気 as the object: 気をつける. Written を, pronounced お.

Example

気をつけます。

I’ll be careful.

つけ

tsuke

[tsoo-keh]

attach; turn on; take (care) (stem)

つけ is the stem of つける. In 気をつける, it means “pay attention / be careful.”

Example

夜は音に気をつけます。

I’ll be careful about the noise at night.

ます

masu

[mah-su]

polite verb ending (-masu)

Makes the promise polite: 気をつけます. Suitable when responding to a neighbor’s complaint.

Example

これから気をつけます。

I’ll be careful from now on.

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