prepárense
preh-PAH-rehn-seh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
¡Prepárense! El examen de historia es mañana.
A2Prepare yourselves! The history exam is tomorrow.
La alarma sonó. Prepárense para evacuar el edificio.
B1The alarm sounded. Get ready to evacuate the building.
El director dijo: "Prepárense para una larga noche de trabajo."
B1The director said: "Prepare yourselves for a long night of work."
💡 Grammar Points
A Command for 'You All'
This word is a command form directed at a group of people ('ustedes' in Latin America or formal Spain). It tells them to start preparing or getting ready.
Reflexive Action
Because the base verb is 'prepararse' (to prepare oneself), the command includes the pronoun 'se' attached to the end, meaning the group is doing the preparation for their own benefit.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The Mandatory Accent
Mistake: "Writing 'preparense' without the accent mark."
Correction: When you attach the pronoun 'se' to the end of the command 'preparen,' you shift the stress, so an accent mark (prepárense) is required to keep the emphasis on the third-to-last syllable, sounding like preh-PAH-rehn-seh.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal Group Commands
Use 'prepárense' when addressing any group outside of Spain, or when speaking formally in Spain. Use 'preparaos' only for informal groups in Spain.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: prepárense
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the command 'prepárense'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there an accent mark on 'prepárense'?
Spanish rules require an accent mark on the verb when you attach two or more syllables (like the pronoun 'se') to a command form, ensuring the word's natural stress (pre-PAH-ren-se) stays in the same place.
Is 'prepárense' the same as 'se preparen'?
No. 'Prepárense' is a direct, affirmative command telling people *to do* something immediately. 'Se preparen' is the subjunctive form, usually used after phrases like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...) or 'Quiero que...' (I want that...).