備 means “prepare, equip”

そなえる · sonaeru

Also: provision, preparation

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

そなえる, そなわる, つぶさに

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ビ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 5 · 12 strokes

The story

Picture a person (亻) beside a quiver packed with arrows: ready before trouble comes. 準備 is getting ready, and in earthquake country every home is urged to 備える, with water, food and a flashlight stored for the next big one.

Used in 準備 (junbi, preparation), 備える (sonaeru, to prepare for), and 設備 (setsubi, facilities)

More from At the Office

• 席 seat
• 労 labor
• 号 number
• 具 tool
• 勤 work for
• 部 part
• 約 promise
• 務 duty
• 機 machine
• 予 beforehand
• 件 matter
• 任 entrust

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.