Translation guide
How to express the state of being prepared, willing, or quick to act in Japanese.
The state of having made preparations or being ready to act.
The most common word for preparation or readiness. Often used with ができている to mean 'is ready'.
Are you ready?
I'm ready for the trip.
Similar to 準備, but often implies things are set out or arranged. Slightly more formal.
Dinner is ready.
Readiness in the sense of mental preparedness or resolve, often for something difficult or unpleasant.
He is prepared for death.
Showing a positive attitude or enthusiasm to do something.
Expresses having motivation or eagerness. Common in work or study contexts.
He shows readiness for work.
More casual than 意欲, meaning willingness or motivation to do something.
She's full of readiness.
Pattern meaning 'to do something gladly/willingly'. Shows readiness in a polite, positive way.
I'm ready to help (with pleasure).
Being prompt or quick in reaction.
Both mean preparation, but 準備 focuses on the process of getting ready, while 用意 emphasizes the state of things being arranged and ready to use. 準備 is more common for abstract readiness, 用意 for concrete items.
I'm not mentally ready.
The materials are ready.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'readiness'. Avoid directly translating 'readiness' as a noun; instead, use phrases like 準備ができている or 意欲がある depending on context.
Be ready to respond immediately in an emergency.