準備中(じゅんびちゅう)

じゅんびちゅう
expression
preparing, not yet open
1. preparing, not yet open
A sign displayed by stores and businesses indicating they are not yet open or temporarily closed, often while preparing to open.
まだ準備中(じゅんびちゅう)だ。
They're still preparing.
看板(かんばん)が準備中(じゅんびちゅう)になっている。
The sign says 'Preparing'.
開店(かいてん)まであと十分(じゅっぷん)なので、まだ準備中(じゅんびちゅう)の札(ふだ)がかかっている。
Since they open in 10 minutes, the 'Preparing' sign is still up.

準備中(じゅんびちゅう) is a compound of 準備(じゅんび) (preparation) + 中(ちゅう) (in the middle of). Most commonly seen as a sign on shops and restaurants indicating they are not yet open.

USAGE:
Often appears on the opposite side of a reversible sign from 営業中(えいぎょうちゅう) (open for business). Used both before opening hours and during temporary closures such as lunch breaks.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 準備中(じゅんびちゅう)の札(ふだ): 'Preparing' sign/placard
  • まだ準備中(じゅんびちゅう): still preparing
  • 準備中(じゅんびちゅう)の店(みせ): store that is preparing to open

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • 営業中(えいぎょうちゅう): now open for business
  • 開店(かいてん): opening (of a store)
  • 閉店(へいてん): closing/closed
  • 休憩中(きゅうけいちゅう): on break
general
Added 2026.2.2 19:40 · Revised 2026.3.31 18:28
09500/09540_junbichuu