膳ぜん立だて

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

setting the table; laying the table

Literal act of arranging dishes and utensils on a table before a meal.

• 夕ゆう食しょくの前まえに、母ははが膳ぜん立だてをしてくれた。

  Before dinner, my mother set the table for us.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

setting up; making arrangements; paving the way

Idiomatic use, often with the honorific prefix お. Refers to preparing things in advance so that a plan or event proceeds smoothly, sometimes with a nuance of behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

See also: お膳立て

• 彼かれは会かい議ぎがうまくいくように、事じ前ぜんにお膳ぜん立だてをした。

  He made arrangements in advance so that the meeting would go smoothly.

• 成せい功こうのためには、周しゅう到とうなお膳ぜん立だてが必ひつ要ようだ。

  For success, careful preparation is necessary.