How to Say "concoction" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “concoction” is “preparación” — use 'preparación' when referring to a mixture or substance that has been carefully made, often for a specific purpose like medicine or a special recipe..
English → Spanish
preparación
nounB2general
Use 'preparación' when referring to a mixture or substance that has been carefully made, often for a specific purpose like medicine or a special recipe.
Examples
Bebe esta preparación antes de dormir.
Drink this mixture before going to sleep.
preparado
preh-pah-RAH-doh/pɾepaˈɾaðo/
nounB1informal
Choose 'preparado' for a more informal or casual mixture or a pre-packaged mix, especially for cooking.
Examples
Necesitas un preparado especial para hacer ese pastel.
You need a special mix/preparation to make that cake.
El farmacéutico vendió un preparado de hierbas.
The pharmacist sold a herbal preparation.
Always Masculine
When used as a noun meaning 'a mixture' or 'a compound,' 'preparado' is always masculine (el preparado), even if the ingredients themselves are feminine.
Choosing Between 'preparación' and 'preparado'
Learners often confuse 'preparación' and 'preparado'. Remember that 'preparación' is more formal and general, suitable for anything from medicine to complex recipes. 'Preparado' is more casual and often implies a ready-made mix, especially for food.
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