预备 yùbèi to prepare
to prepare; to make ready; preparation; preparatory
How to remember 预备: 预 in advance + 备 prepare = to prepare.
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How it is used
- To prepare / get ready, and 'preparatory' - 预备考试 (yùbèi kǎoshì) to prepare for an exam; 预备，跑！ ready, go!
- Also as a starter's call (预备…开始) and attributive: 预备党员 (a probationary Party member), 预备队 (reserves).
- Near-synonym 准备 (zhǔnbèi); 预备 is a touch more formal and appears in fixed titles/commands.