用意

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 用意 is a noun and irregular transitive verb read ようい, meaning preparation or getting something ready in advance.
• Basic usage: Use お茶を用意する for preparing an item and 出発の用意ができる for the state of being ready to leave.
  • 来客のために温かいお茶を用意しました。 describes preparing warm tea for a visitor; 出発の用意ができたら玄関に集まってください。 asks everyone to gather at the entrance when they are ready to leave.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• お茶を用意する
  • を marks the item prepared in advance.
• 用意ができる
  • が marks the preparation that has reached a completed state.
• できたら
  • たら sets completion of the preparations as the condition and time for gathering.