preparation

/ˌprepəˈreɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌprepəˈreɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌpre-pə-ˈrā-shən/ (ame, mw)

preparation — 名詞

1. the work, study, or time you put into making yourself or something else ready be

1.名詞B1
釋義

準備

事前所做的工作或花的時間

the work, study, or time you put into making yourself or something else ready before an event takes place.

例句

Maya spent two weeks of careful preparation before her piano recital.

Maya 在鋼琴獨奏會前花了兩週仔細準備。

preparation for an upcoming event

The kitchen was busy with preparation for the wedding dinner on Saturday.

廚房裡正忙著為週六的婚宴做準備。

preparation for + noun

同義詞
  • groundwork

    the early, foundational work done before the main effort

  • readiness

    the resulting state of being ready, not the activity itself

  • training

    preparation through repeated practice, often physical or skill-based

反義詞

文法句型

preparation for + noun

in preparation for + noun

用法筆記

Uncountable in this sense; do not say 'a preparation' or 'preparations' here. Distinguish from sense 2, which uses the plural 'preparations' for specific tasks.

常見錯誤

❌I did a preparation for the meeting.
✅I did some preparation for the meeting.
💡the abstract activity sense is uncountable; use 'some' not 'a'.

2. the specific plans, tasks, or arrangements that people set up so an event can ru

2.名詞B2
釋義

籌備；安排

為某事所做的具體安排或事項

the specific plans, tasks, or arrangements that people set up so an event can run smoothly.

例句

The Watanabe family began their preparations for the New Year feast a week early.

Watanabe 一家提早一週開始籌備新年大餐。

preparations for + noun (plural countable)

Lina is making the preparations to move her studio into a bigger building.

Lina 正在做準備工作，要把她的工作室搬到更大的建築裡。

make preparations to + infinitive

同義詞
  • arrangements

    very close in meaning; emphasises bookings and logistics

  • plans

    broader and more abstract; preparations are the concrete steps to carry plans out

文法句型

preparations for + noun

make preparations to + infinitive

用法筆記

Almost always plural in this sense ('preparations'). Subject is usually a person or organisation acting before a specific upcoming event. Distinguish from sense 1, which is uncountable and refers to the activity itself rather than the individual tasks.

常見錯誤

❌They made preparation for the trip.
✅They made preparations for the trip.
💡when you mean the specific arrangements, use the plural.

3. a liquid, cream, or powder made by mixing ingredients in a set way, typically so

3.名詞C1
釋義

製劑；調製品

依配方調配而成的藥品或保養品

a liquid, cream, or powder made by mixing ingredients in a set way, typically sold or applied as a medicine, skin treatment, or chemical product.

例句

The pharmacist handed Mr. Davies a clear preparation to soothe his sore throat.

藥師遞給 Davies 先生一瓶透明製劑，用來緩解他的喉嚨痛。

a preparation (countable, medicinal)

This herbal preparation is made from ginger, honey, and a small amount of lemon oil.

這款草本製劑是用薑、蜂蜜和少量檸檬油調製而成。

preparation made from + ingredients

同義詞
  • mixture

    everyday word; preparation is more formal and implies a careful recipe

  • compound

    scientific; emphasises chemical structure rather than medicinal use

  • remedy

    any treatment for an illness, not necessarily a mixed substance

文法句型

a preparation of + noun

a preparation for + noun

用法筆記

Countable in this sense and often modified by an adjective naming the type ('herbal', 'pharmaceutical', 'topical'). Subject is the substance itself, not the person who made it. Common in pharmacy, cosmetics, and laboratory contexts.

常見錯誤

❌Rub the preparation in your hair every morning to feel relaxed.
✅Rub the preparation into your hair every morning to relieve dryness.
💡this sense is technical and is paired with a clear medical or cosmetic purpose, not a vague feeling.