Meaning of 准备
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- preparation
- to prepare
- to intend
- to be about to
- reserve (fund)
How to use 准备
准备 can mean to get ready for something, or to plan or intend to do something. It also works as a noun, often in 做准备 (zuò zhǔnbèi). Example: 我准备明天去北京。(Wǒ zhǔnbèi míngtiān qù Běijīng.) I plan to go to Beijing tomorrow.
准 (zhǔn) means accurate or ready, as in 准确 (zhǔnquè), and 备 (bèi) means to have something in place, as in 设备 (shèbèi) and 具备 (jùbèi). Getting things accurate and in place is what it means to prepare.
Common mistake: Learners often write 准 with three dots on the left, like 淮 (huái), but 准 has only two dots (冫). Also, 准 is third tone (zhǔn), so do not say it flat as zhūn.
准备 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
准 zhǔn · accurate · 10 strokes
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备 bèi · to prepare · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 准备.
| 准确 | zhǔnquè | accurate; exact; precise |
| 设备 | shèbèi | equipment; facilities; installations |
| 标准 | biāozhǔn | standard; norm; criterion; (adjective) standard |
| 批准 | pīzhǔn | to approve; to ratify |
| 准时 | zhǔnshí | on time; punctual |
| 具备 | jùbèi | to possess; to have |
| 预备 | yùbèi | to prepare; to make ready |
| 配备 | pèibèi | to allocate; to provide |
| 装备 | zhuāngbèi | equipment; to equip |
| 不准 | bù zhǔn | not to allow; to forbid |
| 瞄准 | miáozhǔn | to take aim at; to target |
| 备用 | bèiyòng | reserve; spare |
Questions about 准备
What does 准备 mean?
准备 (zhǔnbèi) means "preparation; to prepare" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 准备?
准备 is made of 2 characters: 准 (10 strokes), 备 (8 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 准备 an HSK word?
Yes. 准备 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 准备 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 准备 is written 準備.
What is the difference between 准备 and 打算?
Both can mean to plan to do something. 准备 often suggests you are already getting ready or the plan is close. 打算 (dǎsuàn) is more about an idea or intention in your mind.
How do I say I am ready in Chinese?
Say 我准备好了 (wǒ zhǔnbèi hǎo le), meaning I am ready. The 好 shows the preparing is finished. To ask someone, say 你准备好了吗? (nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?)