这些形容词均含有“小心的，谨慎的”之意。
careful : 侧重做事谨慎、留心，特别注意一些细节地方。
- Be careful!
小心！ - He was careful to keep out of sight.
他小心翼翼地躲开别人的视线。 - Be careful not to wake the baby.
注意别吵醒了宝宝。 - You must be careful when handling chemicals.
接触化学药品必须小心谨慎。 - Be careful of the traffic.
注意交通安全。 - Please be careful with my glasses (= Don't break them) .
请当心别打碎我的眼镜。 - Be careful you don't bump your head.
留神别撞了头。
cautious : 着重考虑事情的后果，谨慎留意，防止出差错。
- He was very cautious about committing himself to anything.
他谨小慎微，从不轻易表态。 - The government has been cautious in its response to the report.
政府对此报道反应谨慎。 - They've taken a very cautious approach.
他们采取了十分谨慎的态度。 - They expressed cautious optimism about a solution to the crisis.
他们对解决危机持谨慎的乐观态度。
attentive : 指认真地注意地倾听别人的意见，留心别人的需要等。
- an attentive audience
聚精会神的听众 - The vast majority of the attentive audience applauded these sentiments.
大多数聚精会神听讲的观众都对这些观点表示赞赏。
prudent : 指遇事审慎，思考计划周密，不贸然行事。
- a prudent businessman
精明的商人 - a prudent decision/investment
审慎的决定 / 投资 - It might be more prudent to get a second opinion before going ahead.
行动之前再征求一下意见也许更为慎重。
