vorbereitet

Vorbereitet is the past participle of the German verb vorbereiten (to prepare in advance) and is also used as an adjective meaning "prepared" or "arranged beforehand." It describes something that has already undergone the necessary preparation, or a person who is ready because preparation is complete. In German, it can be used predicatively (Der Plan ist vorbereitet) or attributively (eine gut vorbereitete Rede). It also appears in phrases indicating readiness resulting from prior work (Ich bin gut vorbereitet auf die Prüfung).

Etymology and formation: The prefix vor- signals action taken beforehand, while bereiten is the verb root meaning to prepare. Together they form vorbereiten, conveying preparation in advance. Related noun forms include Vorbereitung (preparation) and the adjective bereit (ready). While bereit states readiness, vor-oben emphasizes the preceding steps that lead to that readiness.

Grammatical notes: As a past participle, vorbereitet forms with auxiliary haben to create perfect tenses (Ich habe das Frühstück vorbereitet). In passive constructions one can say Das Frühstück ist vorbereitet worden. As an attributive adjective, it follows standard declension patterns: ein gut vorbereiteter Antrag, die vorbereiteten Unterlagen. In everyday usage, German speakers often distinguish between the general state of readiness (bereit) and the result of proactive work (vorbereitet).

Examples: Ich habe die Unterlagen vorbereitet. Die Unterlagen sind vorbereitet. Er ist gut vorbereitet auf die Prüfung. Diese Formulierungen illustrate the distinction between performing the preparation (vorbereiten) and the resulting state (vorbereitet).

See also: Vorbereitung, bereit, vorbereiten, Vorbereitung (the noun forms related to preparation and readiness).