prepara
“prepara” means “prepares” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
prepares, gets ready
Also: makes
📝 In Action
Mi hermana prepara el desayuno todos los días.
A1My sister prepares breakfast every day.
¿Usted prepara la presentación para mañana?
A2Are you (formal) preparing the presentation for tomorrow?
Prepare!
Also: Get ready!
📝 In Action
¡Prepara tu equipaje, nos vamos en una hora!
A2Prepare your luggage, we leave in an hour!
Prepara la cámara, el atardecer es hermoso.
B1Get the camera ready, the sunset is beautiful.
trains
Also: studies
📝 In Action
La atleta prepara su cuerpo para los Juegos Olímpicos.
B1The athlete trains her body for the Olympic Games.
Mi hijo prepara el examen de ingreso a la universidad.
B2My son is studying for the university entrance exam.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: prepara
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'prepara' as a direct command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *praeparare*, which is a combination of *prae-* (meaning 'before') and *parare* (meaning 'to make ready' or 'to arrange'). The core meaning has remained consistent: getting things ready ahead of time.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'prepara' have two different meanings (he prepares and Prepare!)?
This is very common in Spanish! For regular verbs like 'preparar', the form used for 'he/she/it prepares' (present tense) is exactly the same as the form used for the informal command 'Prepare!'. You figure out which meaning is intended based on the context and punctuation (like exclamation marks).
What is the reflexive version of 'preparar'?
The reflexive version is 'prepararse' (to prepare oneself or to get ready). For example, 'Ella se prepara' means 'She gets herself ready (for work, for a party, etc.).'