预备

• Pinyin: yù bèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 预 = 予 (give) + 页 (head), to anticipate; 备 = to prepare, equip

Meaning

To prepare; to get ready. Making arrangements or preparations in advance.

Often used for preparation before an event or action. Common in commands like 预备，开始！(Ready, go!). Can also function as an attributive: 预备会议 (preparatory meeting), 预备党员 (probationary Party member). Similar to 准备, but 预备 often implies more formal or systematic preparation.

Examples

1. 运动员们正在预备明天的比赛。 The athletes are preparing for tomorrow's competition.
2. 学校已经预备好了新学期的教材。 The school has already prepared the textbooks for the new semester.
3. 老师喊了一声预备，大家就开始跑了。 The teacher shouted 'ready' and everyone started running.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, events, planning

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 预备，开始！(Ready, go!)
• 我们需要预备一些应急物资。(We need to prepare some emergency supplies.)

Don't Say

• 我预备了一下 (In casual speech, 准备 is more natural; 预备 sounds overly formal for everyday activities)

Origin & History

Compound of 预 (in advance, beforehand) and 备 (to prepare, to equip).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal