prepárate
/pɾepaɾate/from spelling rules
The English phrase "ready up" can be translated into Spanish as prepárate.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to get prepared for an activity.
Which one should you use?
While prepárate means "get ready" (as in, prepare yourself), listo is the adjective used to say "I am ready".
How does it change in a sentence?
prepárate is the informal singular imperative, used when speaking to one person you know well. The form prepárese is the formal singular imperative, used when speaking to one person in a respectful or professional context.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾepaɾate/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, telling someone prepárate can be a playful warning that a joke, a prank, or a surprise is about to happen.
- The word listo used to say 'I am ready' also means 'clever' or 'smart' in Spanish.
- If you use prepárese with a stranger, you are being polite, but if you use it with a close friend, it might sound sarcastic or overly dramatic as if you are pretending to be a butler.
Examples in context
- Prepárense para la reuniónGet ready for the meeting
- Estamos listos para empezarWe are ready to begin
- Estoy listo para salirI'm ready to go out
- Prepárate para la fiestaGet ready for the party
- Prepárense para la sorpresaGet ready for the surprise
- Por favor, prepárense para el inicio del evento.Please get ready for the start of the event.
- Prepárate para el partido de fútbol.Get ready for the soccer game.
- Chicos, prepárense para la aventura.Guys, get ready for the adventure.
- Prepárate, que nos vamos en cinco minutos.Get ready, we are leaving in five minutes.
- Prepárate para el examen de mañana.Get ready for tomorrow's exam.
- Prepárate, la película va a empezar.Get ready, the movie is about to start.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are at home getting ready to go out.
- SofíaMateo, prepárate, que tenemos que salir ya.Mateo, get ready, we have to leave now.
- MateoYa casi estoy listo, Sofía.I'm almost ready, Sofía.
- SofíaNo tardes mucho, por favor.Don't be too long, please.
- MateoEstá bien, voy enseguida.Alright, I'm coming right away.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
