筹备

• Pinyin: chóu bèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 筹 = ⺮ (bamboo) + 寿 (phonetic) = to plan; 备 = 夂 + 田 + 用 = to prepare

Meaning

To prepare; to make preparations for; to get ready for (an event or project).

Focuses on the preparatory phase before an event or project launch. Often used for formal occasions, conferences, ceremonies. More formal than 准备.

Examples

1. 婚礼筹备工作已经进行了半年。 Wedding preparations have been underway for half a year.
2. 公司筹备上市的工作正在紧锣密鼓地进行。 The company's IPO preparations are in full swing.
3. 筹备委员会已经召开了三次会议。 The preparatory committee has held three meetings.

Usage Guide

Context: events, business, official

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 春节晚会的筹备工作从夏天就开始了。(Preparations for the Spring Festival Gala begin in summer.)
• 筹备期间遇到了很多意想不到的困难。(Many unexpected difficulties arose during the preparation period.)

Don't Say

• 我在筹备出门 (Too formal for daily activities — use 准备 for getting ready to go out)

Origin & History

Compound of 筹 (to plan) and 备 (to prepare/equip). Emphasizes thorough preparation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal