to be careful vs to watch over in Korean

주의하다vs지켜보다

to be careful

주의하다to be careful

주의하다 means to be careful or to pay attention so that nothing bad happens. You can use it for safety, rules, or small mistakes in daily life. People often say it when crossing the street, touching hot things, or listening to important instructions.

When to use to be careful
to watch over

지켜보다to watch over

지켜보다 means to watch someone or something carefully for some time. You use it when you stay nearby and pay attention, often to protect, help, or see what happens. It is common for people, animals, and situations, as in watching over a child or watching a game.

When to use to watch over

How they differ

주의하다 means to be careful about something or watch out for danger. It is about caution, not watching a person or situation over time.