How to Say “Take care” in Chinese
Greetings and politeness · HSK 3
"Take care" in Chinese is 保重 (bǎo zhòng). 保重 (bǎozhòng, "protect the weight / preserve self") is a warmer-than-goodbye phrase for partings that matter: someone leaving on a long trip, returning home after a visit, or when a friend is facing a hard stretch. 注意身体 (zhùyì shēntǐ, "take care of your body") is the casual daily version; said to elders, to anyone recovering from illness, or across a long separation.
Primary translation
保重
bǎo zhòng
Variants by register
Casual
注意身体
zhù yì shēn tǐ
When to use it
保重 (bǎozhòng, "protect the weight / preserve self") is a warmer-than-goodbye phrase for partings that matter: someone leaving on a long trip, returning home after a visit, or when a friend is facing a hard stretch. 注意身体 (zhùyì shēntǐ, "take care of your body") is the casual daily version; said to elders, to anyone recovering from illness, or across a long separation. Distinct from 慢走 (walk slowly) which is said to the person physically leaving your space right now.
Example sentences
保重，路上小心。
Bǎozhòng, lùshang xiǎoxīn.
Take care, be safe on the way.
天冷了，注意身体。
Tiān lěng le, zhùyì shēntǐ.
It is getting cold, take care of yourself.
多保重，常联系。
Duō bǎozhòng, cháng liánxì.
Take care, keep in touch.