bereit sein
to be ready
To be prepared and willing to do something or for something to happen.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin bereit, wir können losfahren.
I'm ready; we can set off.
bereit
ready
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Meanings
bereit sein zu
to be willing to
To show readiness or willingness to do something specific, often in the sense of making a concession or effort.
EXAMPLE
Sie war zu allem bereit, um ihre Ziele zu erreichen.
She was willing to do anything to achieve her goals.
sich bereithalten
to stand by
To be in a waiting position in order to act immediately if needed.
EXAMPLE
Die Rettungskräfte halten sich für den Einsatz bereit.
The rescue teams are standing by for the operation.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'bereit' (ready) belongs to the word family of 'bereiten' (to prepare) and 'Vorbereitung' (preparation). All of these words have to do with preparing for an action or event.
EXAMPLE
Nach langer Vorbereitung war die Mannschaft bereit für das Finale.
After a long period of preparation, the team was ready for the final.
Sentence structure and usage
'Bereit' (ready) is almost always used predicatively with the verb 'sein' (to be), meaning after the noun. Using it directly before a noun, for example 'der bereite Läufer', is very rare and sounds unnatural.
EXAMPLE
Die Sportler sind bereit für den Wettkampf.
The athletes are ready for the competition.
Construction with 'zu'
To express what someone is willing to do, you use a construction with 'zu'. Either a noun in the dative follows ('bereit zu einem Kompromiss' — willing to make a compromise), or an infinitive clause follows ('bereit, einen Kompromiss zu machen' — willing to make a compromise).
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker ist zu einem Gespräch mit der Opposition bereit.
The politician is willing to have a conversation with the opposition.
Reflexive verb
In the meaning 'to wait for deployment/action,' the reflexive verb 'sich bereithalten' (to stand by) is used. The reflexive pronoun (sich, mich, dich, etc.) must always be included and match the person.
EXAMPLE
Die Feuerwehr hält sich für mögliche Waldbrände bereit.
The fire department is standing by for possible forest fires.
Compare with
klarfertigoffensoweitverfügbarfitreifparatgewilltgeneigtgerüstetbereitwilligwilliggewappnetstartklar
bereit vs klar
clear
Klar can mean in nautical or military language that something is prepared for an upcoming action. Bereit is the general word and can additionally express a person's willingness. Outside such special contexts, bereit is usually the better choice.
bereit
Die Besatzung ist bereit zum Ablegen.
The crew is ready to depart.
klar
Die Besatzung macht das Boot klar zum Ablegen.
The crew prepares the boat for departure.
In real life
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