bei6備备
Jyutpingbei6
Yalebeih
Definition
To prepare, possess, or be equipped with.
- to prepare; to get ready in advance
- to possess; to be equipped with; to have
neutraldaily actions
How it's used
The character 備 is rarely used as a standalone verb in spoken Cantonese. It almost exclusively appears as part of the compound 準備. When speakers want to express the idea of getting something ready, they typically use the full word 準備 or other verbs like 執好 or 整好.
Examples
Are you ready yet?
I have been preparing for a long time.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use 備 alone to mean prepare, but it sounds unnatural or overly formal. Always pair it with 準 to form 準備 in daily speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
