準備

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 準備（じゅんび） means getting the conditions or materials needed for an upcoming activity ready in advance.
• Basic usage: 出発の準備ができたら describes being ready to leave, while 資料を何度も準備し直した describes repeatedly preparing the required materials again.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Preparing versus being ready
  • 準備する describes the action of preparing, while 準備ができる describes preparations becoming ready. The first example asks people to gather once they are ready, not to start preparing.
• Overlap with a similar word
  • 用意 also means getting something needed ready in advance, with considerable overlap. 準備 also suits the broader process of getting ready for an activity such as departure; depending on context, either word may work.