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A smiling child wearing a chef's hat and apron is actively stirring cake batter in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon, illustrating the continuous action of preparing.

preparando

preh-pah-RAHN-doh

Verb (Present Participle)A1regular ar
preparing?action in progress,getting ready?readying oneself
Also:making?preparing food or drink

Quick Reference

infinitivepreparar
gerundpreparando
past Participlepreparado

📝 In Action

Estamos preparando la cena ahora mismo.

A1

We are preparing dinner right now.

¿Qué estás preparando para el examen de mañana?

A2

What are you preparing for tomorrow's exam?

Mi hermana lleva meses preparándose para el maratón.

B1

My sister has been preparing for the marathon for months.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • alistando (getting ready)
  • elaborando (making/elaborating)

Antonyms

  • terminando (finishing)
  • descuidando (neglecting)

Common Collocations

  • estar preparando – to be preparing
  • seguir preparando – to continue preparing

💡 Grammar Points

The Continuous Action Form

This form ends in '-ando' for verbs that end in '-ar' (like 'preparar'). It is used with a form of the verb 'estar' to show an action is happening right now: 'Estoy preparando' (I am preparing).

Reflexive Use

When used to mean 'preparing oneself' ('preparándose'), the action word remains 'preparando,' but the pronoun ('se', 'me', 'te') usually goes before 'estar': 'Me estoy preparando' (I am getting myself ready).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Missing 'Estar'

Mistake: "Yo preparando."

Correction: Yo estoy preparando. You must always use a form of 'estar' (like 'estoy,' 'estás,' 'está') before the '-ando' word to create the continuous tense in Spanish.

⭐ Usage Tips

Focus on the Moment

Use 'preparando' when the preparation is actively underway. If the preparation is finished, use the past form, 'preparado'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: preparando

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'preparando' to describe an ongoing action?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

preparar(to prepare) - verb
la preparación(the preparation) - noun
preparado(prepared (adjective)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'preparando' by itself without 'estar'?

Rarely. 'Preparando' needs a helping verb like 'estar' (to be) to show that the action is happening right now, or 'seguir' (to continue) to show continuity. If you use it alone, it sounds incomplete, like saying 'I preparing' in English.