descuidar
verbCEFR B2
What does “descuidar” mean in English?
to neglect, to fail to care for
to neglect, to fail to care for (descuidar responsabilidades — fail to give proper attention or care to something)
Example sentences
No debes descuidar tu salud por causa del trabajo.
You shouldn't neglect your health because of work.
Si te descuidas un momento, los niños se meten en problemas.
If you're careless for a moment, the children get into trouble.
La empresa descuidó la formación de sus empleados durante años.
The company neglected its employees' training for years.
How to use it
descuidar means 'to neglect' — to fail to attend to something that requires attention. The reflexive descuidarse means 'to be careless' or 'to let oneself go'. Followed by a direct object for what is neglected.
Common mistake
'Neglect' in English can also mean emotional neglect (child neglect); descuidar covers this but Spanish also uses abandonar or desatender for stronger emotional neglect.