准备 (zhǔn bèi) — to prepare; to intend, to be about to

Definition

Core everyday word covering both senses: to prepare/get ready (concrete action) AND to intend/be about to. 打算 is just planning, with less sense of actual preparation; 预备 is a more formal near-synonym for the 'get ready' sense.

verb
to prepareto intendto be about to

Examples

  • 准备。
    Mā ma zài zhǔn bèi wǎn fàn.
    Mom is preparing dinner.
  • 准备。
    Wǒ zhèng zài zhǔn bèi míng tiān de kǎo shì.
    I am preparing for tomorrow's exam.
  • 准备。
    Xià ge yuè wǒ zhǔn bèi qù shàng hǎi.
    I intend to go to Shanghai next month.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

准zhǔnget ready
备bèiprepare

准 (get ready) and 备 (prepare) both describe making arrangements before something happens, together meaning to prepare.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 準; 准 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
隼
隼sǔn準zhǔn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 準, not 准, pairs 水 (water) with 隼 as a sound part; the evidence describes it as 'water level'.

Open 准 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 備; 备 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 備 shows a person carrying a quiver, matching the meaning 'ready; prepared'; the simplified 备 is a later abbreviation.

Open 备 →
Appears in
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