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How to Say "getting ready" in Spanish

English → Spanish

preparando

preh-pah-RAHN-doh/pɾepaˈɾando/

Verb (Present Participle)A1informal
Use 'preparando' when you are actively in the process of making or getting something ready, especially when it involves an action happening right now.
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.

Examples

Me estoy preparando para salir.

I am getting myself ready to go out.

Estamos preparando la cena ahora mismo.

We are preparing dinner right now.

¿Qué estás preparando para el examen de mañana?

What are you preparing for tomorrow's exam?

Mi hermana lleva meses preparándose para el maratón.

My sister has been preparing for the marathon for months.

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).

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.

preparación

NounA2informal
Use 'preparación' when referring to the noun 'preparation' itself, the process or an instance of being prepared, rather than the active verb of getting ready.

Examples

La preparación del examen fue intensa.

The preparation for the exam was intense.

Noun vs. Verb Confusion

The most common mistake is using the noun 'preparación' when you should be using the present participle 'preparando'. Remember, 'preparando' describes the action of getting ready, while 'preparación' refers to the process or result of preparation.

Related Translations

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