Inklingo

How to Say "get ready" in Spanish

English → Spanish

prepárate

preh-PAH-rah-teh/pɾeˈpaɾate/

verbA1informal
Use this command form when telling one person to prepare for something imminent or important.
A friendly cartoon character kneeling down, actively tying the laces of a bright red running shoe, demonstrating preparation for an activity.

Examples

¡Prepárate! El autobús llega en cinco minutos.

Get ready! The bus arrives in five minutes.

Prepárate para la sorpresa. Es algo increíble.

Prepare yourself for the surprise. It's something incredible.

Tienes que estudiar mucho. Prepárate para el examen final.

You have to study a lot. Prepare yourself for the final exam.

Command Form Rule

This word is a command telling 'you' (tú) to prepare. When giving an affirmative command in Spanish, the little word 'te' (yourself) is always attached directly to the end of the verb.

The Accent Mark

Notice the accent mark on the 'a' (prepárate). This is added to make sure the stress stays on the correct syllable, even after adding the pronoun 'te' to the end.

Base Verb

The original verb is 'prepararse,' which means 'to prepare oneself' (a reflexive action). The 'te' in 'prepárate' is the 'self' part.

Forgetting the Accent

Mistake: “Preparate (without accent)”

Correction: Prepárate. Without the accent, the stress shifts, and the word sounds wrong. Always add the accent when attaching pronouns to affirmative commands.

Using it for 'You all'

Mistake: “¡Prepárate! (when talking to a group)”

Correction: Use '¡Prepárense!' (formal/Latin America) or '¡Preparaos!' (Spain) for groups. 'Prepárate' is only for one person you know well.

arreglarse

ah-rreh-GLAHR/arreˈɣlaɾ/

verbB1informal
This is used when preparing yourself, especially for going out or dressing up.
A person standing and fastening the last button on a clean, freshly put-on shirt, preparing to go outside.

Examples

¿Cuánto tiempo necesitas para arreglarte antes de la cena?

How much time do you need to get ready before dinner?

Me arreglé mucho para la boda de mi prima.

I dressed up a lot for my cousin's wedding.

The Power of 'Se'

When 'arreglar' has the little word 'se' attached (arreglarse), it becomes a reflexive verb, meaning the person is doing the action to themselves, like 'getting oneself ready' or 'fixing oneself up.'

Fixing vs. Getting Ready

Mistake: “Using 'Yo arreglo' when you mean 'I am getting ready.'”

Correction: Use 'Me arreglo' (I get myself ready). 'Yo arreglo' means 'I fix (something else).'

prepárense

preh-PAH-rehn-seh/pɾeˈpaɾense/

verbB1informal
Use this informal command when instructing a group of people to prepare themselves for something.
Three cheerful cartoon children standing side-by-side, actively preparing for an activity. One child is fastening a large blue backpack, another is tying a sturdy boot, and the third is adjusting a hat, showing readiness.

Examples

¡Prepárense! El examen de historia es mañana.

Prepare yourselves! The history exam is tomorrow.

La alarma sonó. Prepárense para evacuar el edificio.

The alarm sounded. Get ready to evacuate the building.

El director dijo: "Prepárense para una larga noche de trabajo."

The director said: "Prepare yourselves for a long night of work."

A Command for 'You All'

This word is a command form directed at a group of people ('ustedes' in Latin America or formal Spain). It tells them to start preparing or getting ready.

Reflexive Action

Because the base verb is 'prepararse' (to prepare oneself), the command includes the pronoun 'se' attached to the end, meaning the group is doing the preparation for their own benefit.

The Mandatory Accent

Mistake: “Writing 'preparense' without the accent mark.”

Correction: When you attach the pronoun 'se' to the end of the command 'preparen,' you shift the stress, so an accent mark (prepárense) is required to keep the emphasis on the third-to-last syllable, sounding like preh-PAH-rehn-seh.

preparen

/pre-PAH-rehn//pɾeˈpaɾen/

verbA2
This is a general instruction to prepare oneself or to make something ready, often for travel.
A group of cheerful chefs in white hats standing behind a kitchen counter, holding various cooking utensils and getting ready to cook.

Examples

¡Preparen sus maletas!

Prepare your suitcases!

Espero que preparen algo de comer.

I hope they prepare something to eat.

Quiero que ustedes preparen la presentación.

I want you all to prepare the presentation.

The 'Switch' Rule

Notice how the '-ar' verb ending normally uses 'a', but here it changes to 'e'. This happens when you are giving a polite command to a group (ustedes) or talking about wishes/hopes.

Don't forget the 'n'

Mistake: “prepare”

Correction: preparen when talking to more than one person.

agárrate

/ah-GAH-rrah-teh//aˈɣara.te/

verbB2informal
Use this idiom to tell someone to brace themselves for something surprising, intense, or difficult.
A person sitting in a chair, gripping the armrests with a look of wide-eyed surprise.

Examples

¡Agárrate! No vas a creer lo que pasó.

Brace yourself! You won't believe what happened.

Agárrate, que vienen curvas.

Brace yourself, things are about to get complicated.

Figurative Language

Just like in English we say 'hold onto your hat,' Spanish uses 'agárrate' to tell someone to mentally prepare for a shock.

Choosing Between 'Prepárate' and 'Arreglarse'

Learners often confuse 'prepárate' (prepare for an event/situation) with 'arreglarse' (get ready by dressing up/grooming). Remember that 'prepárate' is a direct command to be ready, while 'arreglarse' specifically refers to the act of making yourself presentable.

Related Translations

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