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preparado

preh-pah-RAH-dohpɾepaˈɾaðo

“preparado” means “ready” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

ready, prepared

Also: trained, qualified
A cartoon runner crouched low at a starting block on a track, focused and ready to sprint forward.

📝 In Action

¿Estás preparado para salir ahora mismo?

A1

Are you ready to leave right now?

La comida ya está preparada, podemos comer.

A1

The food is already prepared, we can eat.

Ella es una candidata muy preparada para el puesto.

B1

She is a very qualified candidate for the position.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desprevenido (unprepared)

Common Collocations

  • estar preparado – to be ready
  • sentirse preparado – to feel prepared

preparation, mixture

Also: concoction, premix
NounmB1
A clear glass jar containing a uniform brown powder mix, sealed with a lid, representing a ready-made preparation.

📝 In Action

Necesitas un preparado especial para hacer ese pastel.

B1

You need a special mix/preparation to make that cake.

El farmacéutico vendió un preparado de hierbas.

B2

The pharmacist sold a herbal preparation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • preparado alimenticio – food preparation/product
  • preparado químico – chemical compound

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: preparado

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'preparado' as an adjective?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
preparar(to prepare) — Verb
preparación(preparation) — Noun
preparador(trainer/coach) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

'Preparado' comes directly from the Latin word *praeparātus*, which was the past participle of the verb *praeparāre*, meaning 'to make ready' or 'to set beforehand'. Its meaning has remained consistent for centuries.

First recorded: 13th century (in similar forms)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: preparadoItalian: preparato

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Frequently Asked Questions

If 'preparado' is a past participle, how do I use it to talk about completed actions?

You combine 'preparado' with a form of the verb 'haber' (to have). For example, 'Yo he preparado' means 'I have prepared.' It never changes form in this structure, regardless of gender or number: 'Hemos preparado la cena' (We have prepared dinner).

Does 'preparado' mean the same thing as 'listo'?

They are very similar! 'Preparado' emphasizes the effort or training that went into the readiness (the action of preparation), while 'listo' often just means 'ready now' or 'smart.' You can use them almost interchangeably when describing a state of readiness.