Inklingo

How to Say "preparing" in Spanish

The Spanish word forpreparingis preparandoA1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.

English → SpanishA1
Verb (Present Participle)A1
action in progress
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

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.

Related Translations

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