German word

zubereiten

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsuːbəˌʁaɪ̯tən/

Meaning

  • verbcook

Example

Sie bereitet eine Soße zu.

She is cooking a sauce.

Illustration for zubereiten (cook)

More examples

Am Wochenende bereite ich das Abendessen zu.

At the weekend, I cook dinner.

Core concept

A meal is assembled, processed, and finished so that it can be served or used.

Common phrases

  • ein Gericht zubereiten

    cook a dish

  • das Abendessen zubereiten

    cook dinner

  • Speisen für Gäste zubereiten

    cook food for guests

Similar words

kochen: To cook food by heating it with water or fire.
vorbereiten: To prepare ingredients before cooking by cutting or washing them.
servieren: To put finished food on plates and offer it to guests.
anrichten: To arrange food attractively on a plate.

Definition in German

etwas, besonders Speisen, durch Vorbereitung und Kochen in einen fertigen Zustand bringen

Word origin

Zubereiten is a compound of zu- and bereiten, an inherited Germanic verb related to Old High German bireitan, meaning to make ready.

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, the prefix separates, as in 'Sie bereitet eine Soße zu'; the infinitive remains zubereiten.

Other meanings

  • prepareverb
  • make readyverb

Related words

  • Zubereitungpreparationnoun
  • Zubereitungszeitcooking timenoun
  • zubereitbarcookableadjective

Word lists with this word