1.
preparation, preliminary work, prep
Preparatory work done before the main task, especially in cooking (washing, cutting, marinating ingredients) but also used more broadly for any advance preparation.
野菜の下準備をする。
Do the prep work for the vegetables.
料理の下準備を前の日に済ませた。
I finished the cooking prep the day before.
イベントの成功には十分な下準備が欠かせない。
Thorough preparation is indispensable for the success of an event.
下準備 literally means "under-preparation" — the groundwork done before the main task.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 下準備をする (do prep work)
- 下準備を済ませる (finish the preparation)
- 下準備が大切 (preparation is important)
- 下準備に時間がかかる (preparation takes time)
Most commonly used in cooking contexts, where it refers to tasks like washing, peeling, cutting, and marinating ingredients before the actual cooking begins.