予備・預備|よびyobi[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Which spelling to use
予備予備 is the most common written form of this entry and the form beginners should normally choose; it is written entirely in kanji.
預備預備 is a less common written variant, also written entirely in kanji; beginners should choose 予備 instead.
Definitions
  1. no-adjectivereserve; spare
    2階かいに予備よびの部屋へやが二に部屋へやありますが、そのどちらもここ数すう年ねん使用しようされていません。↗
    We have two spare rooms upstairs, neither of which has been used for years.
  2. no-adjectivepreparation; preliminaries
Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymリザーブNeutralLoanword for reserving or holding something back, as in 「リザーブ席」; 「予備」 is about things or people kept on hand for when they are needed.
  • Synonym控えひかえNeutralA substitute or backup, also a copy or stub; 「予備」 stresses preparing against a shortage or shortfall.
  • Related備蓄びちくNeutralStockpiling supplies for emergencies, as in 「石油備蓄」; 「予備」 broadly covers spare things, people, or acts.
  • Antonym本番ほんばんNeutralThe real performance or actual event; an opposite only in the contrast between preparation and going live.
  • Antonym本式ほんしきNeutralThe proper, full formal way with nothing left out; not a strict antonym — it contrasts the formal with the simplified.

Use 「予備」 for things or people kept ready for when needed, as in 「予備の電池」. For substitutes and copies pick 「控え」, for emergency stockpiles 「備蓄」, for reservations 「リザーブ」; 「本番」 and 「本式」 mark the actual or formal side.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 本来ほんらいのものが欠かけたり不足ふそくしたりした際さいの代替だいたいや補充ほじゅうなどとして、後あとで必要ひつようになるときのために前まえもって準備じゅんびしておく物ものや人ひとや行為こうい。
  2. (法律ほうりつ)犯罪はんざいの着手ちゃくしゅ以前いぜんに行おこなう準備じゅんび行為こうい。
  3. 正式せいしきな行事ぎょうじなどをスムーズに行おこなうための下準備したじゅんび的てきな行為こうい。
  4. そのような状態じょうたいになる可能性かのうせいがあること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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