Chinese phrases
How to say take care in Chinese
Take care in Chinese is 保重 (bǎo zhòng) when you part for a long time. When a friend heads home in the evening, say 路上小心 (lù shang xiǎo xīn), “be careful on the way.”
保重
take care
重 here is zhòng, as in “heavy,” not chóng.
Ways to say take care
保重
Everydaytake care
For a long goodbye or a hard time: someone moves away, leaves on a long trip, or is ill. Often 多保重.
照顾好自己
Everydaytake care of yourself
Warm and personal: to family, a partner or a close friend who lives far away.
路上小心
Everydaybe careful on the way
When someone leaves your place, especially at night, in the rain or by car.
注意安全
Everydaystay safe
Before a trip, a drive or a night out, and to someone who does risky work.
到家说一声
With friendslet me know when you’re home
Very common between friends after an evening out. The other person sends a short message when they arrive.
慢走
Everydaytake care (to a leaving guest)
The host says it at the door, and shop staff say it as you leave. The guest doesn’t say it back.
How to answer
你也是
you too
The natural answer to 保重 or 照顾好自己.
到了跟你说
I’ll tell you when I get there
The answer to 路上小心 or 到家说一声.
别送了
no need to see me out
The guest’s answer to 慢走 at the door.
Common mistakes
Saying 保重 at the end of a normal day
保重 is for a long parting or a hard time. Said to a colleague at 6 p.m., it sounds as if one of you is leaving for good. Say 明天见 or 拜拜.
Saying only 小心
On its own, 小心! means “Watch out!” As a goodbye, say 路上小心 or 注意安全.
At the airport
到了给我发个消息。
Qiqi: Send me a message when you land.
好，一定。
Leon: OK, I will.
多保重！
Qiqi: Take care!
你也是，照顾好自己。
Leon: You too. Look after yourself.
