備えます（そなえます、sonaemasu）
- to prepare

備えます means to prepare, to get ready, to equip, to provide, or to keep something in readiness. It implies making arrangements or taking necessary actions in advance for a specific purpose or situation. It can refer to physical preparation, like setting up equipment, or more abstract preparation, like making plans or gathering resources. 備えます often suggests a proactive stance, thinking ahead, and being ready for a potential event or need.

⚫︎ 非常時に備えて、食料と水を用意します。 Translation: I will prepare food and water in case of an emergency. ⚫︎ 明日のプレゼンテーションに備えて、資料をチェックします。 Translation: I will check the materials in preparation for tomorrow's presentation. ⚫︎ 万が一の事態に備え、避難経路を確認しておきましょう。 Translation: Let's confirm the evacuation routes in case of an emergency.

This word is used in various contexts. ⚫︎ To describe preparations for an event or situation. ⚫︎ To indicate the act of equipping or providing something. ⚫︎ When discussing safety measures or precautions. ⚫︎ It is a formal and polite verb. It can be used in both formal and informal situations, but it is more common in formal contexts.

⚫︎ The word is typically written with the kanji 備, which means "to prepare" or "to provide," followed by the hiragana えます. ⚫︎ Reading: そなえます ⚫︎ The okurigana (hiragana suffixes) are always えます. ⚫︎ Conjugation: ⚫︎ Present: 備えます (sonae-masu) ⚫︎ Past: 備えました (sonae-mashita) ⚫︎ Present Negative: 備えません (sonae-masen) ⚫︎ Past Negative: 備えませんでした (sonae-masen deshita) ⚫︎ Imperative: 備えろ (sonaero) (casual) ⚫︎ て form: 備えて (sonaete) ⚫︎ Potential form: 備えられます (sonaeraremasu)

⚫︎ 用意します (youi shimasu): To prepare, to get ready ⚫︎ 準備します (junbi shimasu): To prepare, to make preparations ⚫︎ 用意する (youi suru): To prepare ⚫︎ 準備する (junbi suru): To prepare ⚫︎ 構える (kamaeru): To prepare, to set up (often for defense or action) ⚫︎ 支度する (shitaku suru): To get ready, to make preparations

⚫︎ 片付けます (katazukemasu): To tidy up, to put away ⚫︎ 整理します (seiri shimasu): To organize

地震に備えて、非常食を用意しました。 ・Translation: I prepared emergency food in preparation for an earthquake. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the action of preparing for a potential earthquake by gathering emergency food.

将来のために、貯金に備えます。 ・Translation: I save money for the future. ・Explanation: This sentence shows that the action is for the future. The kanji 備 is used here, and the sentence focuses on saving money.

The kanji 備 combines elements suggesting "to prepare" or "to have ready." The original meaning of the kanji itself relates to "to be equipped" or "to be furnished with." The verb form 備えます evolved to encompass various types of preparation and readiness.