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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liánhéCoordinate

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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