se préparer
In French, the phrase "prepare" is translated as se préparer.
If you specifically mean to revise or study for something, the verb réviser is used instead.
Meaning: to make oneself ready (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The pronoun se indicates that the action is being performed upon oneself, meaning "to prepare oneself".
How does it change in a sentence?
As a pronominal verb, the reflexive pronoun must agree with the subject, such as je me prépare, tu te prépares or il se prépare. When you are preparing for a specific event or situation, you must follow the verb with the preposition à, forming se préparer à.
Did you know?
- In a culinary context, a mise en place is the professional term for 'everything in its place', which is the essential act of preparing ingredients before cooking begins.
- French uses the verb s'apprêter as a more elegant or formal alternative to se préparer when talking specifically about dressing up for an event.
- The word préparer is a direct descendant of the Latin praeparāre, combining 'prae' meaning 'before' and 'parare' meaning 'to make ready'.
Examples in context
- Il a essayé de se préparer.He tried to prepare himself.This sentence shows an attempt to use se préparer.Tatoeba #7919529 by hennebert, translation #7382685 by CH
- Ce n’est pas quelque chose à laquelle on peut se préparer.It's not something that you can prepare for.This sentence shows how to use se préparer in the context of preparing for a situation.Tatoeba #10944491 by sacredceltic, translation #10944481 by CK
- Ne pas réussir à se préparer, c'est se préparer à ne pas réussir.To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail.This sentence demonstrates the use of se préparer in a proverbial context.Tatoeba #13883210 by tieguy, translation #11262735 by Ooneykcall
- Je vais préparer le dîner ce soir.I am going to prepare dinner tonight.
- Elle prépare une présentation pour la réunion.She is preparing a presentation for the meeting.
- Nous préparons les documents nécessaires.We are preparing the necessary documents.
- Il s'apprête à partir en vacances.He is getting ready to go on vacation.
- Ils s'apprêtent à rencontrer des clients importants.They are preparing to meet important clients.
- Je me prépare à passer un examen demain.I am preparing for an exam tomorrow.
- Elle se prépare à partir en voyage.She is getting ready for a trip.
- Préparez le rapport d'ici demain matin.Prepare the report by tomorrow morning.
- Elle révise pour son examen de français.She is studying for her French exam.
- Pour l'anniversaire de son frère, elle met les petits plats dans les grands et prépare une fête incroyable.For her brother's birthday, she goes all out and organizes an incredible party.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prepare” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries préparer, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
