yùbèi: 预备 - To Prepare, Get Ready, Preparatory
Quick Summary
Keywords: yubei, 预备, prepare in Chinese, get ready in Chinese, preparatory, yùbèi meaning, Chinese for ready set go, 准备 vs 预备, HSK 4 vocabulary
Summary: Learn the Chinese word 预备 (yùbèi), which means “to prepare” or “get ready.” Unlike the common word `准备 (zhǔnbèi)`, `预备` is more formal and is often used for official preparations, in military or sports commands (like “get set!”), or to describe a preparatory stage, such as a `预备班` (preparatory class). This guide will break down its meaning, cultural context, and show you how to use it correctly in practical situations.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): yùbèi
Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To prepare, make ready in advance, or to be in a state of readiness.
In a Nutshell: Think of `预备` as the formal command “get set” before a race begins. It signifies a structured, official state of readiness for a specific, imminent action or event. While `准备 (zhǔnbèi)` is for everyday preparations like making dinner, `预备` is for more serious or organized contexts, like a firefighter preparing equipment or a student taking a preparatory course for university.
Character Breakdown
预 (yù): This character means “in advance” or “beforehand.” The radical `页 (yè)` means “head,” suggesting the act of thinking or planning ahead.
备 (bèi): This character means “to prepare” or “to be equipped.” It implies having all the necessary tools or resources ready.
When combined, 预备 (yùbèi) literally means “to prepare in advance.” The pairing emphasizes a deliberate and forward-looking act of getting ready.
Cultural Context and Significance
`预备` reflects a cultural value placed on foresight, planning, and structured order. In many situations, from education to national defense, Chinese culture emphasizes being thoroughly prepared before taking action. This isn't just about having things ready; it's about being in the correct state of readiness.
A good Western comparison is the distinction between “getting ready for a party” and the formal military command “prepare to fire!” The first is casual and can be described by `准备 (zhǔnbèi)`. The second is a command that puts you into a specific state of alert—that's the feeling of `预备`. You see this in the common phrase for starting a race: `各就各位，预备，跑！` (gè jiù gè wèi, yùbèi, pǎo!)—“On your marks, get set, go!” `预备` is that critical, tense moment of final readiness just before the action.
Practical Usage in Modern China
`预备` is less common in casual conversation but is frequently encountered in specific, more formal contexts.
As a Command: In sports, military drills, or any situation requiring a synchronized start, `预备` is the command to “get set.”
As a Preparatory Stage (Adjective): It is very common as a modifier to describe something as “preparatory.”
`预备班 (yùbèi bān)`: Preparatory class (e.g., for university entrance).
`预备党员 (yùbèi dǎngyuán)`: Probationary party member.
`预备队 (yùbèi duì)`: A reserve team.
Formal Preparation (Verb): In formal or written contexts, it can mean to prepare funds, materials, or plans.
The connotation is almost always neutral and serious. It implies diligence and adherence to a plan.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
运动员们，各就各位，预备，跑！
Pinyin: Yùndòngyuánmen, gè jiù gè wèi, yùbèi, pǎo!
English: Athletes, on your marks, get set, go!
Analysis: This is the most classic example of `预备` used as a command, creating a moment of tension before the action starts.
Example 2:
他是这所大学预备班的学生。
Pinyin: Tā shì zhè suǒ dàxué yùbèi bān de xuéshēng.
English: He is a student in this university's preparatory class.
Analysis: Here, `预备` functions as an adjective, describing the class's purpose—to prepare students for university-level studies.
Example 3:
消防员们迅速预备好装备去救火。
Pinyin: Xiāofáng yuánmen xùnsù yùbèi hǎo zhuāngbèi qù jiùhuǒ.
English: The firefighters quickly got their equipment ready to go fight the fire.
Analysis: This usage is more formal than `准备`. It emphasizes a professional, procedural readiness for an important task.
Example 4:
我们需要一个预备方案以防万一。
Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào yīgè yùbèi fāng'àn yǐfáng wàn'yī.
English: We need a backup plan just in case.
Analysis: `预备方案` means a “pre-prepared plan” or “backup plan.” This shows `预备` used to describe something held in reserve.
Example 5:
所有士兵都已预备就绪，等待命令。
Pinyin: Suǒyǒu shìbīng dōu yǐ yùbèi jiùxù, děngdài mìnglìng.
English: All the soldiers are ready and waiting for the command.
Analysis: The phrase `预备就绪 (yùbèi jiùxù)` is a formal way of saying “fully prepared” or “ready to go,” often used in official or military contexts.
Example 6:
他是国家足球队的预备队员。
Pinyin: Tā shì guójiā zúqiú duì de yùbèi duìyuán.
English: He is a reserve player for the national soccer team.
Analysis: Similar to “preparatory class,” `预备` here modifies “team member” to mean someone who is ready to step in—a substitute or reserve.
Example 7:
公司为这个新项目预备了五百万资金。
Pinyin: Gōngsī wèi zhège xīn xiàngmù yùbèi le wǔbǎi wàn zījīn.
English: The company has prepared five million in funds for this new project.
Analysis: This is a formal, written style. In conversation, one would more likely use `准备 (zhǔnbèi)`. This usage is common in business reports.
Example 8:
在开始实验前，请预备好所有需要的化学品。
Pinyin: Zài kāishǐ shíyàn qián, qǐng yùbèi hǎo suǒyǒu xūyào de huàxuépǐn.
English: Before starting the experiment, please prepare all the necessary chemicals.
Analysis: The context of a scientific experiment gives this sentence a formal, procedural tone, making `预备` more appropriate than the casual `准备`.
Example 9:
成为一名合格的飞行员需要经过漫长的预备训练。
Pinyin: Chéngwéi yī míng hégé de fēixíngyuán xūyào jīngguò màncháng de yùbèi xùnliàn.
English: Becoming a qualified pilot requires undergoing a long period of preparatory training.
Analysis: Again, `预备` acts as an adjective to describe the training as foundational or preliminary for the main goal.
Example 10:
她在心理上还没有预备好接受这个坏消息。
Pinyin: Tā zài xīnlǐ shàng hái méiyǒu yùbèi hǎo jiēshòu zhège huài xiāoxī.
English: She is not yet mentally prepared to accept this bad news.
Analysis: While `准备` is more common for mental readiness, using `预备` here adds a sense of gravity and formality, suggesting she hasn't built the necessary emotional defenses.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The most common mistake for learners is confusing 预备 (yùbèi) with 准备 (zhǔnbèi). They both mean “to prepare,” but they are not interchangeable.
Key Difference: Formality and Context
准备 (zhǔnbèi): Your go-to, all-purpose word for “prepare.” Use it for everyday activities. It's flexible and can be used for actions, objects, and mental states.
预备 (yùbèi): Formal, official, and procedural. Use it for commands, official stages, or in formal/written language. It often implies a state of being “on standby” or in a “preparatory phase.”
Common Mistake Example:
Incorrect: `晚饭你预备好了吗？` (Wǎnfàn nǐ yùbèi hǎole ma?)
Why it's wrong: Preparing dinner is a casual, daily activity. Using `预备` sounds overly dramatic and strange, as if you're preparing for a military inspection of the kitchen.
Correct: `晚饭你准备好了吗？` (Wǎnfàn nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎole ma?) - “Is dinner ready?”
Rule of Thumb: If you're unsure, use `准备 (zhǔnbèi)`. You will be correct 95% of the time in daily conversation. Use `预备` only when you recognize the context as formal, official, or part of a command sequence like “Ready, set, go!”
准备 (zhǔnbèi) - The common, everyday word for “to prepare.” The most important term to distinguish from `预备`.
筹备 (chóubèi) - To plan and prepare for a large, complex event, like a conference, wedding, or opening ceremony. It involves more planning and fundraising than `准备`.
预习 (yùxí) - “To prepare a lesson in advance.” A key term for students, referring specifically to pre-studying material before class.
预订 (yùdìng) - To book or reserve something in advance (e.g., a hotel room, a ticket).
预报 (yùbào) - A forecast or prediction, most commonly used in `天气预报` (tiānqì yùbào), the weather forecast.
备用 (bèiyòng) - To have something ready for use as a spare or backup (e.g., `备用轮胎` - spare tire).
预备役 (yùbèiyì) - The military reserve force; soldiers who are prepared to be called to active duty.
防备 (fángbèi) - To prepare for and guard against something negative, like an attack or a disaster.