preparar
/pɾepaˈɾaɾ/
To prepare in Spanish is preparar.
Meaning: to make oneself ready (verb)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between preparing an object and preparing yourself. Use preparar when you are preparing an object like food or a document, but use the reflexive form prepararse when the meaning is to make oneself ready.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'to prepare oneself,' use the reflexive form prepararse. The third-person singular preterite form (he/she prepared) is preparó, and the past participle preparado can be used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is ready.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾepaˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- While preparar is the standard verb, Spanish speakers often use the phrase ponerse las pilas, which literally means 'to put in one's batteries', to describe the act of preparing oneself to work hard.
- In a pharmacy or laboratory, a preparado is not just a person who is ready, but is a noun specifically used for a medicinal or chemical mixture.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word preparado can describe a person who is socially sophisticated or possesses a polished, high-class education.
Examples in context
- Me empecé a preparar.I started to prepare myself.This sentence shows how to use preparar in a reflexive context to mean preparing oneself.Tatoeba #2117864 by marcelostockle, translation #7958443 by shekitten
- Es fácil de preparar.It's easy to prepare.This sentence shows how to describe something that is easy to prepare using preparar.Tatoeba #6703442 by arh, translation #9525048 by DJ_Saidez
- Es fácil preparar esto.It's easy to prepare this.This sentence shows how to use preparar with a direct object.Tatoeba #6703441 by arh, translation #9194656 by DJ_Saidez
- Me voy a preparar para el examenI am going to prepare for the exam
- Necesito ponerme en forma para la competenciaI need to get in shape for the competition
- Por favor, prepare la información para la reuniónPlease prepare the information for the meeting
- Voy a alistar el equipo para la presentaciónI am going to prepare the equipment for the presentation
- Voy a preparar todo para la fiestaI am going to prepare everything for the party
- Tenemos que alistarnos para la bodaWe need to prepare ourselves for the wedding
- Voy a preparar la cenaI am going to prepare dinner
- Mi madre prepara un delicioso pastelMy mother prepares a delicious cake
- Necesito preparar el examen de matemáticasI need to prepare for the math exam
- Los estudiantes deben prepararse bien para los exámenes finalesStudents should prepare well for final exams
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are getting ready for a trip.
- LucíaTengo que preparar mi maleta ahora.I have to prepare my suitcase now.
- AlejandroYo ya terminé de preparar todo.I already finished preparing everything.
- Lucía¿Me ayudas a preparar los pasaportes?Will you help me prepare the passports?
- AlejandroClaro, Lucía, yo los busco.Of course, Lucía, I will look for them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry preparar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
