unbereit

Unbereit is a German adjective formed with the prefix un- attached to bereit, meaning not ready or not prepared. As a negation of bereit, unbereit can denote a lack of readiness to act, or a lack of preparation for a task or situation. Etymologically, it follows the common German pattern of adding un- to form the opposite of a positive adjective.

In modern standard German, unbereit is relatively uncommon in everyday speech. It tends to appear in formal, literary, or historical texts, or as a stylistic choice for emphasis. In most contexts, speakers prefer alternatives such as nicht bereit (not ready or unwilling) or unvorbereitet (unprepared), depending on the intended sense.

Grammar-wise, unbereit is an adjective and follows standard German inflection rules, both when used predicatively and attributively. The exact endings depend on the article, case, and gender of the noun it modifies. In practice, the word is often replaced by more common expressions, especially in colloquial language.

Usage and nuance: unbereit most clearly conveys a lack of readiness to act or commit, whether due to will or capability. If the emphasis is on a lack of preparation for a specific task, unvorbereitet is usually preferred. If the emphasis is on unwillingness, nicht bereit or unwilling expressions may be more natural.

See also: bereit, unvollständig, unvorbereitet.