When you say “prepare” in English, the meaning is straightforward. You might prepare for an exam, prepare dinner, or prepare yourself to leave home.
In Japanese, however, you can’t always use the same word. You’ll hear people say “junbi,” “youi,” “shitaku,” “dandori,” and sometimes even “keikaku”—all of which translate roughly as “preparation.”
To native speakers, each of these words paints a slightly different picture of the process leading up to an action. Understanding their differences not only improves your Japanese vocabulary, but also gives you insight into how Japanese culture views readiness, order, and intention.
“Junbi” (準備): Preparation with Purpose
“Junbi” is the most general and widely used of all these words. Its core meaning is to prepare something systematically with a goal in mind. It often suggests planning, organizing, or studying ahead of time.
When you use “junbi,” you’re not only setting things up—you’re thinking about how to make the outcome successful. It often includes mental or procedural preparation rather than something purely physical.
Examples:
- 試験の準備をする。 (Shiken no junbi o suru.) – Prepare for an exam.
- プレゼンの準備をする。 (Purezen no junbi o suru.) – Prepare a presentation.
- 旅行の準備をする。 (Ryokō no junbi o suru.) – Prepare for a trip.
These examples show that “junbi” is used when you plan and organize. You gather materials, make arrangements, or study in advance. In this sense, junbi can also mean getting ready for success.
It’s also worth noting that “junbi” works well in both daily and formal contexts. You can say it when talking to a friend about preparing for a trip, or in a business meeting when discussing project preparation. That versatility makes it the safest and most neutral choice among the group.
“Youi” (用意): Getting Things Ready to Use
While “junbi” has a broad, often abstract meaning, “youi” focuses on tangible things that you can see, touch, or use. Its nuance is “to make something ready for immediate use.”
You would use “youi” when you set the table, prepare documents, or arrange chairs before a meeting. In other words, when something is physically prepared and ready to go.
Examples:
- 食事の用意をする。 (Shokuji no youi o suru.) – Prepare a meal.
- 会議室を用意する。 (Kaigishitsu o youi suru.) – Prepare the meeting room.
- 書類を用意する。 (Shorui o youi suru.) – Prepare the documents.
If you compare the two, “junbi” might describe the planning and organization before an event, while “youi” describes the concrete setup right before it happens. For instance, before a presentation, you might junbi your slides and ideas, and right before it starts, you youi your laptop and projector.
In this way, youi feels closer to “get things ready,” while junbi includes a sense of “prepare in advance.” Both are about readiness, but at different stages.
“Shitaku” (支度): Getting Yourself Ready
Among these “preparation” words, “shitaku” feels the most personal. It’s not about preparing documents or schedules—it’s about preparing yourself.
“Shitaku” usually involves your body, your clothes, or your belongings. It describes everyday situations: dressing up, packing your bag, or grooming yourself before going out.
Examples:
- 出かける支度をする。 (Dekakeru shitaku o suru.) – Get ready to go out.
- 学校へ行く支度をする。 (Gakkō e iku shitaku o suru.) – Get ready for school.
- 寝る支度をする。 (Neru shitaku o suru.) – Get ready for bed.
This word sounds natural in casual, spoken Japanese. Parents often say it to children: 「早く支度しなさい！」 (Hayaku shitaku shinasai!) – “Hurry up and get ready!”
It’s similar to get dressed or get ready to go, but slightly broader—it can include organizing your bag or brushing your teeth.
You wouldn’t usually say “仕事の支度をする” to mean “prepare for work” in the sense of planning. Instead, it would mean getting dressed and physically ready to leave the house.
“Dandori” (段取り): Planning the Steps Ahead
“Dandori” shifts the focus from getting ready to organizing the order of things.
It literally means “arranging the steps or sequence,” and it’s used when you’re planning how something should proceed.
If you’re in charge of an event, you might not just “prepare”—you need to coordinate the timing, assign roles, and anticipate potential problems. That’s dandori.
Examples:
- 結婚式の段取りを決める。 (Kekkonshiki no dandori o kimeru.) – Decide the arrangements for the wedding.
- イベントの段取りをする。 (Ibento no dandori o suru.) – Plan the event logistics.
In English, we might say to coordinate, to arrange, or to make a game plan.
“Dandori” often appears in professional or group settings where many people or steps are involved. It conveys the sense of efficiency and control.
Interestingly, when Japanese people say someone has “good dandori,” it’s a compliment. It means they think ahead, prepare the order well, and keep things running smoothly—qualities highly valued in Japanese workplaces and society.
“Keikaku” (計画): The Plan Before Preparation
“Keikaku” means “plan.”
It’s the stage before any physical or mental preparation begins. You can think of it as the blueprint—the idea on paper before you take action.
For example, a company might create a “project keikaku,” or a student might make a “study keikaku.”
It involves thinking, designing, and scheduling, but not necessarily taking any practical steps yet.
If we put all these words in order of action, it looks like this:
Keikaku → Junbi → Youi → Action
You first make a plan (keikaku), then you prepare systematically (junbi), then you make things ready (youi), and finally, you act.
“Shitaku” runs in parallel when it comes to personal readiness, while “dandori” overlaps as the arrangement of the process itself.
Understanding this sequence helps you pick the most natural word depending on what exactly you are “preparing.”
How Native Speakers Choose: Real-World Scenarios
Let’s look at how these words naturally appear in different situations.
If you are studying for an exam, you say “試験の準備をする.”
You are organizing materials, reviewing lessons, and getting your mind ready. Saying “試験の用意をする” would sound slightly off, because exams are about mental preparation, not setting physical things up.
When you make dinner, however, “食事の用意をする” is natural. You are arranging plates, cooking, and serving—things you can see and touch. “食事の準備をする” is also acceptable, but “youi” sounds a little more domestic and warm in daily speech.
If you are getting ready to go out, “出かける支度をする” is the only natural expression. Using “junbi” here would sound unnatural, because it implies planning rather than dressing or grooming.
When organizing an event, “イベントの段取りをする” is best. It suggests managing steps, schedules, and coordination. Saying “イベントの準備をする” is fine for general use, but if you want to emphasize efficiency and structure, “dandori” fits perfectly.
Finally, when making a business or travel plan, “計画を立てる” is the natural phrase. You create a structure first, and only after that do you begin “junbi” and “youi.”
These distinctions show how Japanese breaks down one English verb—prepare—into a spectrum of actions and mindsets.
Summary: Choosing the Right Word
To wrap up, here’s a simple way to remember the key nuances—without needing a table or chart:
When you plan something, think “keikaku.”
When you organize for success, think “junbi.”
When you set things up physically, think “youi.”
When you get yourself ready, think “shitaku.”
When you arrange steps for smooth execution, think “dandori.”
In daily life, you’ll often hear “junbi” and “youi” the most. But learning the others gives you richer, more natural expression—and helps you understand the subtle layers of Japanese thought.
Next time you hear someone say “準備できた？” (Junbi dekita?) or “用意できました。” (Youi dekimashita.), try to imagine what kind of readiness they’re referring to.
It’s not just about being prepared—it’s about how you prepare, for what, and for whom.