准备【zhǔnbèi】

准备 before a verb phrase means "get ready to" or "be going to". It covers both the intention and the preparations, so the action is usually close.

准备 + a noun

Followed by a thing, 准备 means "prepare". English says "prepare for an exam"; 准备 takes the exam directly, with nothing in between.

• × 我准备为考试 → 我准备考试

准备好 – ready

好 after 准备 says the preparations are finished. 准备好了吗 is the usual "are you ready?".

准备 or 打算

Both can mean "plan to". 打算 states the decision. 准备 says the plan is near and you're already getting ready for it.

Negation

不准备 means "not planning to". 没准备 says the preparation didn't happen.