preparar

Senses

1. 1.

   to prepare

   to make ready or get something into a suitable state for use or action

2. 2.

   to cook; to make (food)

   to assemble and cook ingredients to produce a meal or dish

3. 3.

   to study for; to prepare oneself

   to get ready mentally or physically, especially for an exam or challenge

4. 4.

   to plan or arrange

   to organize or set up in advance

Examples

• "Preciso preparar a apresentação para amanhã."

  I need to prepare the presentation for tomorrow.

• "Minha mãe preparou um bolo delicioso para o aniversário."

  My mother made a delicious cake for the birthday.

• "Os alunos estão se preparando para o exame final."

  The students are preparing for the final exam.

Usage

Very common in everyday Brazilian Portuguese; used with objects (preparar algo) or reflexively (se preparar). Often used in cooking (preparar comida, preparar café) and academic/professional contexts. Colloquially, "se preparar" means to get ready mentally or emotionally for something.