Preparar

Preparar is a Spanish verb of the first conjugation (infinitive -ar) whose primary meaning is to make the necessary arrangements for something to be ready or for someone to be ready. It is transitive and commonly takes a direct object: preparar la cena, preparar un informe, preparar un viaje. It can also be used reflexively as prepararse for something, meaning to get ready for an upcoming event or situation (prepararse para un examen, prepararse para una entrevista). In some expressions, it implies assembling the elements needed for a future action, such as preparar el terreno or preparar la mesa.

Etymology and origins: preparαr comes from Latin preparare, formed with prae- “before” and parare “to make ready.” The word entered Spanish through Latin and the broader Romance language family, with the sense developing into the modern verb.

Conjugation and forms: Preparar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugation follows the typical pattern for that class. Examples in common tenses include: presente de indicativo: yo preparo, tú preparas, él prepara, nosotros preparamos, vosotros preparáis, ellos preparan. pretérito perfecto simple: preparé, preparaste, preparó, preparamos, preparasteis, prepararon. imperfecto: preparaba, preparabas, preparaba, preparábamos, preparabais, preparaban. futuro: prepararé, prepararás, preparará, prepararemos, prepararéis, prepararán. condicional: prepararía, prepararías, prepararía, prepararíamos, prepararíais, prepararían. presente de subjuntivo: prepare, prepares, prepare, preparemos, preparéis, preparen. gerundio: preparando; participio: preparado.

Derivados and usage notes: related forms incluyen preparación (noun), preparado (adjective or past participle), preparatorio (adjective or noun), and prepararse (reflexive form). Common collocations involve preparar comida, preparar documentos, preparar para un propósito, and preparar a alguien para una tarea.