Keywords: zhunbei, 准备, how to say prepare in Chinese, get ready in Chinese, preparation in Chinese, Chinese verb to prepare, HSK 2 vocabulary, zhunbei hao le, Chinese grammar.
Summary: Learn how to use 准备 (zhǔnbèi), the essential Chinese verb for “to prepare” or “to get ready.” This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, character breakdown, and cultural significance. With over 10 practical example sentences and clear analysis, this page will help beginners master this core HSK 2 vocabulary word and understand the importance of planning and preparation in Chinese culture.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): zhǔn bèi
Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
HSK Level: HSK 2
Concise Definition: To prepare, to make ready, or to get ready for something.
In a Nutshell:准备 (zhǔnbèi) is the go-to word for preparation in almost any context in Chinese. Whether you're getting ready for an exam, preparing dinner, or mentally bracing for a challenge, 准备 is the word you'll use. It captures the entire process of making things ready, from planning and gathering materials to the final state of being prepared.
Character Breakdown
准 (zhǔn): This character originally related to a water level, representing a “standard” or “benchmark.” It has come to mean “accurate,” “standard,” or “to allow.” In 准备, it contributes the idea of preparing *towards* a specific standard or goal.
备 (bèi): This character originally depicted a person with an arrow in a quiver. It means “to be equipped,” “to have something ready,” or “to prepare.” It brings the sense of gathering and having the necessary equipment or resources.
Together, 准备 (zhǔnbèi) literally means “to standardize and equip” or “to aim for a standard and have things ready,” which perfectly creates the modern meaning: “to prepare.”
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, preparation is not just a practical step but a deeply ingrained virtue. There is a famous proverb: 凡事预则立，不预则废 (fán shì yù zé lì, bù yù zé fèi), which means “In all things, success depends on preparation; without it, there will be failure.” This highlights a cultural emphasis on foresight, planning, and diligence over spontaneity.
Comparison to Western Culture: While the Western concept of “being prepared” (like the Boy Scout motto) is similar, the Chinese emphasis is often more profound and widespread. For major life events like the college entrance exam (高考 gāokǎo) or starting a business, the period of 准备 is a long, intense, and socially recognized phase. It's less about simply being ready for contingencies and more about a meticulous, long-term process to ensure a specific, desired outcome. This reflects a cultural value of minimizing risk and uncertainty through careful planning.
Practical Usage in Modern China
准备 is an extremely versatile word used in all aspects of modern life.
As a Verb (to prepare): This is its most common usage.
Informal: “我准备出门了。” (Wǒ zhǔnbèi chūmén le.) - “I'm getting ready to go out.”
Formal/Business: “我们必须准备好会议资料。” (Wǒmen bìxū zhǔnbèi hǎo huìyì zīliào.) - “We must prepare the meeting materials.”
As a Noun (preparation): Often used with 做 (zuò), meaning “to do preparations.”
“我们为派对做了很多准备。” (Wǒmen wèi pàiduì zuòle hěn duō zhǔnbèi.) - “We did a lot of preparation for the party.”
Mental Preparation: It can also refer to getting mentally or emotionally ready.
“你要做好心理准备。” (Nǐ yào zuò hǎo xīnlǐ zhǔnbèi.) - “You need to be mentally prepared.”
Example Sentences
Example 1:
你准备好了吗？我们该走了。
Pinyin: Nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma? Wǒmen gāi zǒu le.
English: Are you ready? We should go.
Analysis: This is one of the most common phrases you'll hear. The particle 好 (hǎo) acts as a result complement, indicating that the action of “preparing” is completed successfully. 准备好了 (zhǔnbèi hǎo le) means “to be ready.”
English: I have an exam tomorrow, I need to prepare well tonight.
Analysis: Here, 准备 is used as a verb for studying or reviewing for a test. 好好儿 (hǎohāor) is a common adverb that means “well,” “thoroughly,” or “properly,” emphasizing the quality of the preparation.
Example 3:
她正在为晚饭准备食材。
Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài wèi wǎnfàn zhǔnbèi shícái.
English: She is preparing the ingredients for dinner.
Analysis: The structure 为…(做)准备 (wèi… (zuò) zhǔnbèi) means “to prepare for…” It clearly states the purpose of the preparation. In this case, for dinner.
English: We need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Analysis: This shows 准备 being used as a noun, paired with 做 (zuò). 做好准备 (zuò hǎo zhǔnbèi) means “to complete the preparations” or “to be well-prepared.”
Example 5:
这次旅行，你都准备了些什么？
Pinyin: Zhè cì lǚxíng, nǐ dōu zhǔnbèi le xiē shénme?
English: What things have you prepared for this trip?
Analysis: A practical question asking about the concrete items or plans someone has prepared. 些 (xiē) indicates “some” or “which things” in this plural sense.
Example 6:
惊喜派对的准备工作进行得很顺利。
Pinyin: Jīngxǐ pàiduì de zhǔnbèi gōngzuò jìnxíng de hěn shùnlì.
English: The preparation work for the surprise party is going very smoothly.
Analysis: 准备工作 (zhǔnbèi gōngzuò) is a set phrase meaning “preparation work” or “preparations.” It's often used for projects, events, or official tasks.
Example 7:
机会是留给有准备的人。
Pinyin: Jīhuì shì liú gěi yǒu zhǔnbèi de rén.
English: Opportunity is reserved for those who are prepared.
Analysis: A common saying. Here, 有准备的 (yǒu zhǔnbèi de) acts as an adjective modifying 人 (rén), meaning “a prepared person” or “people who are prepared.”
Example 8:
请大家准备好你们的护照和机票。
Pinyin: Qǐng dàjiā zhǔnbèi hǎo nǐmen de hùzhào hé jīpiào.
English: Everyone, please get your passports and plane tickets ready.
Analysis: A typical announcement you might hear from a tour guide or at an airport. Again, 准备好 (zhǔnbèi hǎo) emphasizes having the items ready and accessible.
Example 9:
我还没准备好告诉他这个坏消息。
Pinyin: Wǒ hái méi zhǔnbèi hǎo gàosù tā zhège huài xiāoxi.
English: I'm not ready to tell him this bad news yet.
Analysis: This demonstrates mental or emotional preparation. The structure 还没…好 (hái méi…hǎo) means “not yet ready” or “haven't finished… yet.”
Example 10:
他毫无准备地参加了面试，结果可想而知。
Pinyin: Tā háo wú zhǔnbèi de cānjiā le miànshì, jiéguǒ kěxiǎng'érzhī.
English: He went to the interview completely unprepared, and the result was predictable.
Analysis: 毫无准备 (háo wú zhǔnbèi) is a strong phrase meaning “with no preparation whatsoever” or “completely unprepared.” 可想而知 (kěxiǎng'érzhī) is an idiom meaning “as one can well imagine.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake: Forgetting to use 好 (hǎo)
English speakers often say “我准备” (Wǒ zhǔnbèi) when they mean “I'm ready.” This literally means “I am preparing.” The correct and more natural way to say “I'm ready” is 我准备好了 (Wǒ zhǔnbèi hǎo le). The 好 (hǎo) signifies the completion of the preparation.
准备 (zhǔnbèi) vs. 预备 (yùbèi)
准备 (zhǔnbèi) is the general, all-purpose word for “prepare.”
预备 (yùbèi) is more formal and often used in written, military, or official contexts. For example, a “reserve team” is 预备队 (yùbèiduì), not 准备队. For everyday conversation, always stick with 准备.
Using it as a noun: Remember that to talk about “doing preparations,” the common structure is 做准备 (zuò zhǔnbèi). Simply saying “我准备” is ambiguous and usually interpreted as the verb “I prepare.”
Correct: 我们需要为项目做一些准备。(Wǒmen xūyào wèi xiàngmù zuò yīxiē zhǔnbèi.) - We need to do some preparations for the project.
Related Terms and Concepts
安排 (ānpái) - To arrange. Focuses on logistics, scheduling, and organizing tasks or events. 准备 is about getting ready; 安排 is about putting things in order.
打算 (dǎsuàn) - To plan, to intend. Refers to a plan or intention in your mind, which is often the first step before you start to 准备.
计划 (jìhuà) - Plan, to plan. More formal than 打算, referring to a more detailed or concrete plan, often written down. You 准备 things according to your 计划.
筹备 (chóubèi) - To prepare/organize (a large event). Used for significant undertakings like preparing for a wedding, opening a company, or organizing a conference. It implies fundraising and large-scale coordination.
收拾 (shōushi) - To tidy up, to pack. This is a specific type of physical preparation, like tidying a room or packing a suitcase before a trip.
备用 (bèiyòng) - Spare, for backup use. This relates to the 备 character. A spare tire is a 备用轮胎 (bèiyòng lúntāi). It's something you have 准备'd in case of need.
预习 (yùxí) - To prepare a lesson before class. A specific academic type of 准备.