Spanish word

preparar

Pronunciation

IPA/pɾepaˈɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbmake, prepare

Example

Voy a preparar la cena.

I'm going to make dinner.

Illustration for preparar (make)

More examples

¿Puedes preparar la mesa antes de comer?

Can you set the table before eating?

Core concept

Gathering items and steps to make a person or thing ready for use or an event.

Common phrases

  • preparar la mesa

    set the table

  • preparar la comida

    prepare the food

  • preparar el examen

    get ready for the exam

Similar words

prepararse: Gets physically and mentally ready before leaving or before taking action.
organizar: Puts objects or plans in order and decides their arrangement and sequence.
cocinar: Applies heat to ingredients to transform them into a cooked dish.

Definition in Spanish

Poner algo o a alguien en las condiciones necesarias antes de su uso o de un evento, reuniendo o realizando lo que haga falta.

Word origin

Spanish preparar comes from Latin praeparare, formed from prae 'before' and parare 'make ready', and keeps the sense of readying in advance.

Usage tips

  • Spanish preparar usually takes a direct object for the thing being made ready (preparar la cena, preparar un informe), while prepararse is used when the subject readies themselves.

Other meanings

  • get readyverb
  • cookverb
  • arrangeverb
  • organizeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word