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A person in a kitchen laying out ingredients like flour, eggs, and a bowl on a clean wooden table.

preparo

preh-PAH-roh

verbA1regular ar
I prepare?general organization or making something ready,I make?referring to meals or drinks
Also:I get ready?when used with 'me' (reflexive)

Quick Reference

gerundpreparando
past Participlepreparado
infinitivepreparar

📝 In Action

Yo preparo la cena para mi familia.

A1

I make dinner for my family.

Siempre preparo mi mochila la noche anterior.

A1

I always get my backpack ready the night before.

Me preparo para el examen de mañana.

A2

I am preparing (myself) for tomorrow's exam.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • alisto (I get ready)
  • organizo (I organize)
  • cocino (I cook)

Antonyms

  • desordeno (I mess up)
  • improviso (I improvise)

Common Collocations

  • preparo la comida – I make the food
  • me preparo para – I get ready for
  • preparo las maletas – I pack the suitcases

💡 Grammar Points

First-Person Action

This word specifically means 'I prepare.' It is the present tense form you use when you are the person doing the action right now or as a habit.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Watch the Accent!

Mistake: "Don't confuse 'preparo' with 'preparó'."

Correction: 'Preparo' (no accent) means 'I prepare' right now. 'Preparó' (with an accent) means 'He or she prepared' in the past.

⭐ Usage Tips

Reflexive Use

Add 'me' before 'preparo' (Me preparo) to say 'I am getting myself ready,' like when dressing for a party.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesprepararan
yopreparara
túprepararas
vosotrosprepararais
nosotrospreparáramos
él/ella/ustedpreparara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespreparen
yoprepare
túprepares
vosotrospreparéis
nosotrospreparemos
él/ella/ustedprepare

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesprepararon
yopreparé
túpreparaste
vosotrospreparasteis
nosotrospreparamos
él/ella/ustedpreparó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespreparaban
yopreparaba
túpreparabas
vosotrospreparabais
nosotrospreparábamos
él/ella/ustedpreparaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespreparan
yopreparo
túpreparas
vosotrospreparáis
nosotrospreparamos
él/ella/ustedprepara
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: preparo

Question 1 of 1

How would you say 'I am making breakfast' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'preparo' only mean making food?

No, it is very versatile! You can use it for getting your luggage ready, preparing a speech, organizing a meeting, or even mentally getting ready for a challenge.