Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prepare'

English Word: prepare

Key Russian Translations:

• подготовить [pədɡɐˈtɔvʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, transitive verb]
• подготовиться [pədɡɐˈtɔvʲɪt͡sə] - [Informal, reflexive verb, used for self-preparation]
• подготовка [pədɡɐˈtɔfkə] - [Formal, noun form, referring to the process of preparation]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts like education, work, and planning, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "to go").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves understanding Russian verb aspects and inflections, which can be challenging for beginners. For "подготовиться," it's also B1 due to reflexive forms.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подготовить: [pədɡɐˈtɔvʲɪtʲ]

подготовиться: [pədɡɐˈtɔvʲɪt͡sə]

подготовка: [pədɡɐˈtɔfkə]

Note on подготовить: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft sign (ʲ), which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant. Variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make ready in advance (e.g., preparing food or materials)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подготовить - Used in formal or professional settings for preparing objects, events, or plans; common in written Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Я подготовил презентацию для завтрашней встречи.

  I prepared the presentation for tomorrow's meeting.

• Она всегда подготавливает еду заранее.

  She always prepares food in advance.

• Мы подготовили комнату для гостей.

  We prepared the room for the guests.

• Подготовьте документы к приезду инспектора.

  Prepare the documents for the inspector's arrival.

To get oneself ready (e.g., mentally or physically)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подготовиться - Informal and reflexive; often used in personal or educational contexts, such as preparing for an exam or a trip.

Usage Examples:

• Студенты готовятся к экзамену всю ночь.

  The students are preparing for the exam all night.

• Я должен подготовиться к собеседованию.

  I need to prepare for the interview.

• Подготовьтесь к холодной погоде, надев теплую одежду.

  Prepare for the cold weather by wearing warm clothes.

• Она подготавливается к выступлению, репетируя речь.

  She is preparing for the performance by rehearsing her speech.

The process or state of being prepared (noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подготовка - Formal noun; used in contexts involving training, planning, or readiness, such as military or educational preparation.

Usage Examples:

• Подготовка к олимпиаде заняла несколько месяцев.

  Preparation for the Olympics took several months.

• Эта подготовка поможет вам в будущем.

  This preparation will help you in the future.

• Военная подготовка обязательна для молодых мужчин.

  Military preparation is mandatory for young men.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For verbs like "подготовить" and "подготовиться," Russian exhibits aspectual pairs and conjugations based on tense, person, and number. "Подготовить" is a perfective verb, while "подготавливать" (imperfective) is its pair. Nouns like "подготовка" follow standard declension patterns.

Form	подготовить (Perfective Verb)	подготовиться (Reflexive Verb)	подготовка (Feminine Noun)
Infinitive	подготовить	подготовиться	N/A
Present Tense (e.g., 1st person singular)	Not used (perfective verbs lack present tense)	Не используется в настоящем времени	Nominative: подготовка
Past Tense (e.g., masculine singular)	подготовил	подготовился	Genitive: подготовки
Future Tense (e.g., 1st person singular)	подготовлю	подготовлюсь	Dative: подготовке
Imperative (e.g., 2nd person singular)	подготовь	подготовься	Accusative: подготовку

Note: "Подготовка" is an invariable feminine noun in some contexts but follows full declension; it does not change in plural forms as frequently as other nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: приготовить (to cook/prepare quickly; often for food), организовать (to organize and prepare), натренировать (to train and prepare)
• – приготовить is more casual and specific to immediate actions, while подготовить implies longer-term readiness.
• Antonyms: разрушить (to destroy), игнорировать (to ignore)

Related Phrases:

• Подготовиться к экзамену - To prepare for an exam; commonly used in educational contexts to emphasize study routines.
• Подготовка к зиме - Preparation for winter; refers to seasonal readiness, like stocking up on supplies.
• Военная подготовка - Military preparation; a phrase tied to compulsory service in Russia, highlighting national defense culture.

Usage Notes:

Russian translations of "prepare" often depend on context: use "подготовить" for transitive actions (e.g., preparing an object) and "подготовиться" for reflexive ones (e.g., self-preparation). Be mindful of verb aspects—perfective for completed actions and imperfective for ongoing ones. In formal writing, opt for "подготовка" as a noun. English users should note that Russian verbs require agreement in gender, number, and case, which can affect sentence structure.

• When choosing between translations, consider the subject's role: if it's about preparing oneself, "подготовиться" is ideal.
• In conversational Russian, these words are versatile but avoid them in highly idiomatic expressions where cultural equivalents might exist.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse verb aspects, such as using "подготовить" (perfective) when "подготавливать" (imperfective) is needed for ongoing preparation. For example:

• Incorrect: Я подготовил ужин. (Implies the dinner is fully done, but if it's in progress, say: Я подготавливаю ужин.)
• Correct: Я подготавливаю ужин. (This shows the process.) Explanation: Russian requires precise aspect to convey completion, so always check the context to avoid misleading the listener.
• Another error: Forgetting the reflexive particle in "подготовиться," e.g., saying "подготовить" instead, which changes the meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, preparation (e.g., "подготовка") is highly valued, especially in education and military contexts due to historical emphasis on readiness during events like the World Wars. Phrases like "подготовиться к зиме" reflect practical survival skills in Russia's harsh climate, underscoring a cultural norm of foresight and resilience.

Related Concepts:

• учиться (to study)
• тренироваться (to train)
• организовать (to organize)