provide / equip
N3- Onyomi
- ビ
- Kunyomi
- そな(える)
- Stroke count
- 12
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 備 down and you get 亻 (person) — a person standing at the left of the scene. Picture a person bent forward from the waist in a bow, put 備 inside it, and let that scene stand for "provide" — provide / equip. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 12
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は12画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 12 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
準備
junbi
preparation
備える
sonaeru
to prepare for
整備
seibi
maintenance
備蓄
bichiku
stockpiling
備えて
sonaete
prepare for — te-form
準備する
junbisuru
to do preparation
Example sentences (5)
発表の準備で忙しいです。
はっぴょう の じゅんび で いそがしい です。
happyou no junbi de isogashii desu.
I am busy preparing for the presentation.
ちゃんと準備しておけば、面接はそれほど怖くありません。
ちゃんと じゅんび して おけば、めんせつ は それほど こわく ありません。
chanto junbi shite okeba, mensetsu wa sorehodo kowaku arimasen.
If you prepare properly, the interview is not that scary.
地震に備えて水を用意しています。
じしん に そなえて みず を ようい しています。
jishin ni sonaete mizu o youi shiteimasu.
I keep water ready in preparation for earthquakes.
面接に備えて、よく聞かれる質問を練習しておきました。
めんせつ に そなえて、よく きかれる しつもん を れんしゅう して おきました。
mensetsu ni sonaete, yoku kikareru shitsumon o renshuu shite okimashita.
In preparation for the interview, I practiced the commonly asked questions.
明日の会議の準備をしています。
あした の かいぎ の じゅんび を しています。
ashita no kaigi no junbi o shiteimasu.
I am preparing for tomorrow's meeting.