to prepare
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to prepare oneself for
To get oneself ready for an upcoming situation, exam, or event through studying, practicing, or planning.
Die Sportler bereiten sich intensiv auf die Olympischen Spiele vor.
The athletes are preparing intensively for the Olympic Games.
'Vorbereiten' (to prepare) is a separable verb. The prefix 'vor-' comes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Ich bereite das Abendessen vor.
I am preparing dinner.
There are two main patterns: When you prepare yourself, you use 'sich vorbereiten auf' (to prepare oneself for; reflexive). When you prepare a thing, you use 'etwas vorbereiten' (to prepare something; transitive).
Er bereitet sich auf seine Reise vor.
He is preparing for his trip.
When you prepare yourself for something, you always need the reflexive form with the fixed preposition 'auf' and the accusative.
Die Mannschaft bereitet sich auf das wichtige Spiel vor.
The team is preparing for the important game.
to learn
'lernen' and 'vorbereiten' can both be used before an exam, an appointment, or an important situation. 'lernen' means that you acquire new knowledge or a skill, for example through reading, practice, or instruction. 'sich vorbereiten' is broader: you may study, but you also plan, organize documents, or practice a specific situation. 'vorbereiten' can also mean getting something ready for other people or for an event. Learners confuse these words because learning is often part of preparation. When it is about knowledge, 'lernen' fits; when it is about the whole plan before an event, 'vorbereiten' fits.
Vor dem Termin bereitet der Kunde alle wichtigen Unterlagen vor.
Before the appointment, the client prepares all the important documents.
Maria lernt jeden Abend neue Wörter für den Deutschkurs.
Maria learns new words for the German course every evening.