準備する vs 用意する
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 準備する
Listen to 用意する
| 準備する | 用意する |
|---|---|
jun-BEE soo-ru verb (suru-verb); also used as the noun 準備 | よういする verb (suru-verb); also used as the noun 準備 |
| to prepare; to get ready | to prepare; to make ready, often by arranging or providing necessary items |
How they differ
用意する often emphasizes arranging or providing concrete items or making something available (e.g., documents, food, tools), whereas 準備する is a broader term for the overall act or process of preparing and can include planning and setup beyond just provisioning items.
When to use each
When to use 準備する: Prefer 準備する when you mean the general process of getting ready, planning, or setting things up for an event or task.
When to use 用意する: Prefer 用意する when you want to emphasize gathering or providing specific items or immediate practical arrangements.
Side-by-side examples
- 会議の資料を準備する。
(I'll prepare the materials for the meeting.) - 会議の資料を用意する。
(I'll arrange/provide the materials for the meeting.)
Register & nuance: Neutral and common in both spoken and written Japanese; slightly more concrete than 準備する but similar formality.