The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of Preparar is used to give direct instructions or orders to prepare something, for example Prepara la cena, por favor. (Prepare dinner, please.)

Preparar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in this tense follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Preparar (to prepare) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish):

Preparar generally means to prepare, get ready, or make something, but has several different meanings in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands), some of which might surprise you.

To prepare food or drinks: for example, ¡Prepara la cena! (Prepare dinner!)

To get ready or make preparations: for example, ¡Prepárate para la fiesta! (Get ready for the party!)

To set up or arrange something: for example, ¡Prepara la mesa para la reunión! (Set up the table for the meeting!)

To study or practice for something: for example, ¡Prepárate para el examen! (Study for the exam!)

Colloquially, to brace oneself or get ready for something unpleasant: for example, ¡Prepárate, que te voy a regañar! (Brace yourself, I’m going to scold you!)

Rude usage, to get ready for a physical confrontation: for example, ¡Prepárate para pelear, idiota! (Get ready to fight, idiot!)

Examples

Examples of Preparar in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Prepara la cena mientras yo termino el trabajo! (Get dinner ready while I finish up work!)

Antes de salir, preparemos las maletas. (Before leaving, let’s pack our bags.)

Para la fiesta, preparen algunos bocadillos y bebidas. (For the party, prepare some snacks and drinks.)

Hijo, prepara tus cosas para la escuela. (Son, get your things ready for school.)

Equipo, preparemos la presentación para el cliente. (Team, let’s prepare the presentation for the client.)

Antes de viajar, preparen sus documentos de identidad. (Before traveling, prepare your ID documents.)

¡Prepara tus cosas, que nos vamos de camping! (Get your stuff ready, we’re going camping!)

Para la reunión familiar, preparemos un platillo típico. (For the family gathering, let’s prepare a traditional dish.)

Estudiantes, preparen sus materiales para el proyecto. (Students, prepare your materials for the project.)

Antes de ir al gimnasio, prepara tu ropa deportiva. (Before going to the gym, prepare your workout clothes.)

Para el picnic, preparemos sándwiches y ensaladas. (For the picnic, let’s prepare sandwiches and salads.)

Antes del viaje, preparen un itinerario detallado. (Before the trip, prepare a detailed itinerary.)

¡Prepara tus cosas, que nos vamos de vacaciones! (Get your things ready, we’re going on vacation!)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Preparar (to prepare) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperative mood is also known as the Command Form, Affirmative Command Mood, or Direct Command Form in English, and as Modo Imperativo, Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, or Forma de Mandato in Spanish.