Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun #3,000 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

予備

yobi Top 3,000

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps 予備 in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung 予備 in your Level:

At the A1 beginner level, learners are just starting to build their foundational vocabulary. The word 予備 (yobi) might seem a bit complex because of its kanji, but the concept is very simple and highly useful for daily survival in Japan. At this stage, you only need to know that 予備 means 'spare' or 'extra' for things you might need later. Think about the physical objects you carry around. You might have an extra pen, an extra mask, or an extra battery. To use this word, you just need to remember one simple grammar rule: put 'no' (の) between 予備 and the item. For example, 'yobi no pen' (予備のペン) means a spare pen. If you are at a hotel and need an extra towel, you can say 'yobi no taoru' (予備のタオル). It is a highly practical word that helps beginners communicate their needs when things run out or get lost. You don't need to worry about the abstract meanings yet; just focus on physical items. If you drop your chopsticks at a restaurant, knowing how to ask for a spare is incredibly helpful. Practice pointing to things and saying 'yobi no' before them. It is a great way to expand your descriptive abilities without needing complex verb conjugations. Just remember: 予備 (yobi) + の (no) + Noun. This simple formula will get you out of many tricky situations during your early days of studying or visiting Japan.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the A2 elementary level, you are starting to form more complete sentences and express your intentions. You already know that 予備 (yobi) means a spare physical item, like a key or a battery. Now, you can start using 予備 with verbs to describe actions related to preparation. For instance, instead of just saying 'spare key' (予備の鍵), you can say 'I will make a spare key' (予備の鍵を作ります - yobi no kagi o tsukurimasu). You can also use it with the verb 持つ (motsu - to have/carry) to say 'I have a spare' (予備を持っています - yobi o motte imasu). At this level, you should also learn the katakana alternative, スペア (supea). While they are often the same, Japanese people frequently use スペア for car keys and tires. You will also start noticing 予備 in compound words on signs or schedules, such as 予備日 (yobibi - reserve day) for school sports events. If it rains, the event moves to the 予備日. Understanding this helps you read basic schedules and notices. You can also start using the grammar point ~ておく (~te oku), which means to do something in advance. Saying 予備を買っておく (yobi o katte oku - I will buy a spare in advance) shows that you understand both the vocabulary and the cultural concept of preparing for the future. This level is about moving from just naming the spare item to actively doing things with it.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B1 intermediate level, 予備 (yobi) becomes a crucial tool for expressing more abstract concepts and navigating broader societal contexts in Japan. You are no longer just talking about spare pens and keys; you are dealing with plans, knowledge, and institutions. At this stage, you must master compound nouns that use 予備 as a prefix. The most important one is 予備校 (yobikou - cram school/prep school), which is a massive part of the Japanese education system. You will also learn 予備知識 (yobi chishiki - background/preliminary knowledge), which is essential when discussing reading materials, movies, or academic subjects. You can now use 予備 to explain reasoning and contingency plans. For example, you can say 'Just in case, I prepared a backup plan' (念のため、予備の計画を用意しました). You should also be able to distinguish 予備 from similar words like 準備 (junbi - preparation). Remember that 準備 is the action, while 予備 is the resulting backup item or plan. You can comfortably navigate travel and administrative situations, asking questions like 'Do you have a reserve fund?' (予備費はありますか). At B1, your use of 予備 demonstrates foresight and the ability to discuss hypothetical situations, which is a key marker of intermediate fluency. You understand that 予備 is not just about physical extras, but a mindset of readiness.

At the B2 upper-intermediate level, your use of 予備 (yobi) should be nuanced and highly natural. You are expected to read news articles, business reports, and technical documents where this word appears frequently. You will encounter specialized vocabulary like 予備選挙 (yobi senkyo - primary elections in politics), 予備電源 (yobi dengen - backup power supply in IT/engineering), and 予備調査 (yobi chousa - preliminary investigations in research or law). You understand the metaphorical uses of the word, such as 予備軍 (yobigun - literally 'reserve army,' but used to describe people on the verge of a condition, like 糖尿病予備軍 - pre-diabetics). At this level, you can fluently debate the necessity of backups versus the cost of maintaining them in a business context. You can use advanced phrasing like 予備として確保する (yobi to shite kakuho suru - to secure as a reserve). You also know exactly when to choose 予備 over alternatives like 代替 (daitai - substitute), 控え (hikae - reserve personnel), or 余分 (yobun - excess). Your Japanese sounds professional because you can articulate risk management and contingency planning using the exact terminology native speakers use. You no longer translate 'spare' directly in your head; you intuitively grasp the 'preparatory' essence of the kanji 予 and 備.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 advanced level, 予備 (yobi) is fully integrated into your academic and professional vocabulary. You can read complex editorials, legal documents, and literary works without stumbling over its various compounds. You understand legal and administrative terms like 予備審問 (yobi shinmon - preliminary hearing) or 予備役 (yobieki - military reserve duty). You can discuss macroeconomic policies involving 予備費 (yobihi - government contingency funds) and analyze how they are allocated during national emergencies. You are adept at using idiomatic or highly contextual expressions, seamlessly integrating 予備 into complex sentence structures involving conditional clauses and passive voice. For example, you can write formal business emails stating, 'In the event of system failure, operations will immediately transition to the auxiliary backup environment' (システム障害発生時には、速やかに予備環境へ移行します). You understand the subtle socio-cultural implications of the 'yobikou' system and can discuss its impact on youth psychology and the economy. Your command of the word extends to creative writing, where you might use the concept of a 'spare' metaphorically to describe human relationships or existential themes. At this level, 予備 is a building block for sophisticated discourse on preparedness, redundancy, and societal structures.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 mastery level, your understanding of 予備 (yobi) is equivalent to that of a highly educated native speaker. You have a deep etymological understanding of the kanji 予 (previously/I) and 備 (equip/provision) and how they historically evolved in Sino-Japanese vocabulary. You can effortlessly navigate highly specialized jargon across multiple domains: medicine, law, engineering, and classical literature. You can critique the translation of foreign concepts into Japanese using 予備, understanding where the semantic mapping is perfect and where it falls short. You are capable of coining new compound words using 予備 if a specific technical context demands it, and native speakers will immediately understand your intent. You can deliver extemporaneous speeches or write academic papers discussing the philosophy of 'preparedness' in Japanese culture, using terms like 予備 as central motifs. You recognize regional or generational variations in how 'spare' concepts are expressed and can adjust your register with absolute precision, from chatting with a mechanic about a スペアパーツ to advising a board of directors on 予備的措置 (preliminary/preventive measures) regarding corporate compliance. Your fluency encompasses every shade of meaning, connotation, and structural application of the word.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

予備 in 30 Sekunden

Means 'spare', 'reserve', or 'backup'.
Used for physical items and abstract plans.
Connects to nouns with the particle の (no).
Forms compound words like 予備校 (cram school).

The Japanese word 予備 (yobi) is a noun that fundamentally refers to something kept in reserve, a spare, or a backup. To fully understand its usage, we must look at its kanji characters. The first character, 予 (yo), means 'beforehand' or 'previously.' The second character, 備 (bi), means 'to equip,' 'to provision,' or 'preparation.' When combined, these characters perfectly encapsulate the idea of preparing something in advance so that it is ready to be used when necessary. This concept is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, which places a high value on preparedness, whether for natural disasters, academic examinations, or everyday inconveniences.

Everyday Usage: In daily life, you will frequently hear 予備 used when talking about spare items. For instance, a spare key is called a 予備の鍵 (yobi no kagi), and a backup battery is a 予備のバッテリー (yobi no batterii). It implies that the item is not currently in use but is essential for peace of mind.

万が一のために、予備の靴下を持っていきます。

Beyond physical objects, 予備 can also refer to people or abstract concepts. A reserve player in sports might be referred to as 予備の選手 (yobi no senshu), although 補欠 (hoketsu) is also common. In educational contexts, 予備知識 (yobi chishiki) refers to background knowledge or preliminary information needed before tackling a new subject.

Academic Context: A very common compound word is 予備校 (yobikou), which translates to a preparatory school or cram school. These are institutions where students study to pass university entrance exams, literally 'preparing beforehand.'

彼は大学に合格するために予備校に通っています。

The word is also prevalent in business and administrative settings. For example, 予備費 (yobihi) refers to a reserve fund or contingency budget. A 予備日 (yobibi) is a reserve day set aside in case an event, like a sports day or outdoor festival, needs to be postponed due to bad weather.

Business Context: In project management, having a 予備計画 (yobi keikaku) or backup plan is crucial. It shows foresight and professionalism.

雨天の場合は、明日の予備日に延期されます。

Understanding when to use 予備 versus the English loanword スペア (supea) is also helpful. While they are often interchangeable for physical items (like a spare tire: スペアタイヤ or 予備タイヤ), 予備 is much broader and can be used for abstract concepts, funds, and institutional names where スペア would sound unnatural.

会議の前に予備知識を入れておいてください。

旅行には予備の現金を持っていくべきです。

In summary, 予備 is an indispensable vocabulary word for anyone looking to achieve fluency in Japanese. It reflects a mindset of caution and readiness. Whether you are packing for a trip, organizing a schedule, or managing a budget, knowing how to express the concept of a 'backup' or 'spare' using 予備 will make your Japanese sound natural, mature, and contextually appropriate.

Using 予備 (yobi) correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its grammatical function as a noun. Because it is a noun, it cannot be conjugated like a verb or an adjective. Instead, it must be connected to other words using particles, most commonly the particle の (no). The structure '予備 + の + Noun' is the most frequent pattern you will encounter. It directly translates to 'spare [Noun]' or 'backup [Noun].'

Basic Modification: When you want to say 'spare key,' you use 予備の鍵 (yobi no kagi). When you want to say 'spare battery,' you use 予備の電池 (yobi no denchi). The particle の acts as a bridge, turning 予備 into a modifier for the subsequent noun.

このプリンターには予備のインクが必要です。

Another common way to use 予備 is in compound nouns, where the particle の is dropped entirely. This happens frequently in established terms and administrative language. For instance, 予備日 (yobibi) means 'reserve day,' 予備軍 (yobigun) means 'reserve forces' or metaphorically 'people on the verge of becoming something' (like 糖尿病予備軍 - pre-diabetics), and 予備校 (yobikou) means 'preparatory school.'

Compound Words: In compound words, 予備 attaches directly to the front of another noun. Examples include 予備調査 (yobi chousa - preliminary investigation) and 予備選挙 (yobi senkyo - primary election).

来週、予備調査が行われます。

When discussing actions related to spares, you will often pair 予備 with verbs like 買う (kau - to buy), 持つ (motsu - to have/carry), 用意する (youi suru - to prepare), or 置く (oku - to place/keep). For example, 予備を買っておく (yobi o katte oku) means 'to buy a spare in advance.' The use of the ~ておく (~te oku) grammar point is very natural here, as it emphasizes doing something in preparation for the future, which aligns perfectly with the core meaning of 予備.

Using with Verbs: Combine 予備 with verbs of preparation. 予備を用意する (yobi o youi suru) means to get a spare ready. 予備として (yobi to shite) means 'as a spare.'

これを予備として保管してください。

You might also encounter 予備 in negative sentences. 'There are no spares' is simply 予備がありません (Yobi ga arimasen). If you break a glass and ask a waiter for a replacement, you might ask, 予備のグラスはありますか？ (Yobi no gurasu wa arimasu ka?).

申し訳ありませんが、予備の部品は品切れです。

常に予備のプランBを考えておくべきだ。

Mastering these sentence structures will allow you to communicate effectively in situations requiring planning, troubleshooting, and organization. The flexibility of 予備 as both an independent noun and a prefix makes it highly useful in both casual conversations and professional discourse.

The word 予備 (yobi) is omnipresent in Japanese society, reflecting a cultural emphasis on risk management, preparedness, and avoiding inconvenience. You will encounter this word across a wide spectrum of environments, from casual domestic settings to highly formal corporate and governmental contexts. Understanding where and how it is used will help you grasp the practical nuances of the word.

Travel and Hospitality: When traveling, hotel staff might inform you about 予備の毛布 (yobi no moufu - spare blankets) or 予備のトイレットペーパー (yobi no toiretto peepaa - spare toilet paper) kept in the closet. Rental car agencies will point out the 予備タイヤ (yobi taiya - spare tire).

クローゼットの中に予備の枕がございます。

In educational environments, the word is unavoidable. High school students constantly talk about 予備校 (yobikou - cram schools). Teachers might distribute 予備のプリント (yobi no purinto - spare handouts) for students who lose theirs or for absentees. Before starting a complex topic, a professor might say they are providing 予備知識 (yobi chishiki - preliminary knowledge).

Events and Planning: Event organizers rely heavily on 予備. A sports festival (運動会 - undoukai) will always have a 予備日 (yobibi - reserve day) listed on the schedule in case of rain. Concerts might have 予備の機材 (yobi no kizai - backup equipment).

台風のため、試合は予備日に変更されました。

In the corporate world, 予備 is a sign of good management. A department might have a 予備費 (yobihi - contingency fund) for unexpected expenses. When presenting a proposal, having a 予備の案 (yobi no an - backup plan) is highly praised. In manufacturing, 予備部品 (yobi buhin - spare parts) are critical for maintaining assembly lines without interruption.

Healthcare and Disaster Preparedness: Japan's focus on disaster readiness means every household is encouraged to have 予備の食料 (yobi no shokuryou - emergency/spare food) and water. In medicine, doctors might prescribe 予備の薬 (yobi no kusuri - spare medicine) for patients traveling abroad.

地震に備えて、予備の水を備蓄しています。

彼は糖尿病の予備軍と診断された。

マイクが壊れた時のために、予備を用意しておく。

Whether you are reading a news article about government reserves, checking a school schedule, or just trying to find an extra pair of chopsticks at a convenience store, 予備 is the vocabulary word that unlocks the concept of 'just in case' in Japanese society.

While 予備 (yobi) is a relatively straightforward noun, English speakers learning Japanese often make specific mistakes regarding its grammatical application, its nuances compared to similar words, and its contextual appropriateness. By understanding these common pitfalls, you can use 予備 much more naturally and accurately.

Forgetting the Particle の (no): The most frequent grammatical error is omitting the particle の when using 予備 to modify another noun. Because English uses 'spare' as an adjective (e.g., 'spare key'), learners often say 予備鍵 (yobikagi). While some compound nouns exist without の, the standard rule for physical items is to use it: 予備の鍵 (yobi no kagi).

Incorrect: 予備ペンを貸して。 Correct: 予備のペンを貸して。

Another major area of confusion is the distinction between 予備 (yobi) and 準備 (junbi). Both share the kanji 備 (bi - prepare), but they function differently. 準備 is the *action* of preparing or getting ready. 予備 is the *result* of that preparation—the actual spare item or backup plan. You cannot say 'I am doing yobi for the party' when you mean you are preparing for it; you must use 準備 (junbi).

Confusing 予備 with 準備: Do not use 予備 as a suru-verb to mean 'to prepare.' 予備する (yobi suru) is not a standard Japanese expression. Use 準備する (junbi suru) or 用意する (youi suru) instead.

Incorrect: テストを予備する。 Correct: テストの準備をする。 (But you can say テストの予備の鉛筆 - spare pencil for the test).

Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse 予備 with 余分 (yobun). While both can translate to 'extra,' they have different implications. 余分 (yobun) implies an excess, something leftover, or more than what is strictly necessary (sometimes with a negative connotation of being unneeded). 予備 (yobi) strictly means a backup kept intentionally for future use. If you have extra food you can't eat, it's 余分. If you bought extra food specifically to store for an emergency, it's 予備.

予備 vs. 余分: Use 予備 for intentional backups. Use 余分 for surplus or excess.

余分なカロリーを消費する。(Burn excess calories - you wouldn't use 予備 here).

先生の代わりが来ました。(The substitute teacher arrived - better than 予備の先生).

このデータは予備として保存しておいてください。

By avoiding these mistakes—remembering the particle の, distinguishing it from verbs of preparation, and understanding the difference between intentional backups and mere excess—you will master the precise and natural application of 予備 in your Japanese conversations.

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for expressing concepts related to preparation, spares, and replacements. While 予備 (yobi) is highly versatile, knowing its synonyms and related terms allows for more precise communication depending on the context, whether you are dealing with physical objects, abstract plans, or human resources.

スペア (Supea) - The English Loanword: The most direct alternative for physical items is the katakana word スペア (supea), derived from the English word 'spare.' It is commonly used for everyday objects like keys (スペアキー - supea kii) and tires (スペアタイヤ - supea taiya). However, unlike 予備, スペア cannot be used for abstract concepts like 'preliminary knowledge' or 'reserve funds.'

車の予備キー（スペアキー）を作りました。

Another important related word is 控え (hikae). 控え generally means a copy, a duplicate, or a note kept for one's own records (like a receipt copy). However, in sports, 控えの選手 (hikae no senshu) refers to substitute or bench players. While 予備の選手 is understandable, 控え is the much more natural and common term in athletic contexts.

控え (Hikae) vs 補欠 (Hoketsu): Both relate to human backups. 控え is a substitute waiting to play. 補欠 (hoketsu) means a substitute or alternate, often used in contexts like school admissions (waitlisted) or formal team rosters. Neither is typically replaced by 予備 when talking about people, except in military or highly administrative jargon.

彼はチームの控え選手（予備ではない）です。

When discussing a replacement or a substitute for a broken item or an absent person, 代わり (kawari) is the go-to word. If you drop your chopsticks at a restaurant, you don't ask for 予備 (which implies you want to hoard a spare); you ask for 代わり (a replacement).

代わり (Kawari) - Replacement: Use 代わり when something active needs to be swapped out because the original is broken, lost, or unavailable. 予備 is the item sitting in the drawer *waiting* to become the 代わり.

壊れた部品の代わりとして、予備の部品を使います。

Finally, for inventory and goods, you might hear ストック (sutokku - stock) or 在庫 (zaiko - inventory). While a store has 在庫, an individual might keep a ストック of toilet paper at home. 予備 can overlap with ストック, but ストック emphasizes the quantity of stored goods, while 予備 emphasizes the *purpose* of being a backup.

メインサーバーがダウンしたので、予備サーバーに切り替えます。

旅行カバンには常に予備のシャツを入れています。

By mastering the nuances between 予備, スペア, 控え, 代わり, and ストック, you will significantly elevate your Japanese vocabulary, allowing you to articulate exact situations regarding preparedness and replacements with native-like precision.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The kanji 予 is also used in the word 予定 (yotei - plan/schedule) and 予想 (yosou - prediction). If you see 予, you know the word has something to do with the future or doing something in advance!

Aussprachehilfe

UK /jo.bi/

US /joʊ.bi/

In standard Tokyo dialect, 予備 has a 'heiban' (flat) pitch accent. It starts low on 'yo', goes high on 'bi', and stays high on any following particles (yo-BI-NO).

Reimt sich auf

曜日 (youbi - day of the week) 指 (yubi - finger) 首 (kubi - neck) エビ (ebi - shrimp) 蛇 (hebi - snake) カビ (kabi - mold) サビ (sabi - rust) ナビ (nabi - navigation)

Häufige Fehler

Elongating the 'yo' to 'youbi' (曜日), which changes the meaning to 'day of the week'.
Elongating the 'bi' to 'yobii', which sounds unnatural.
Pronouncing it with a strong English 'R' sound, though there is no R.
Dropping the pitch on the particle 'no', which makes it sound like a different accent pattern.
Confusing it with 'yubi' (finger) by mispronouncing the 'yo' as 'yu'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

The kanji 予 (N3) and 備 (N3) are intermediate level. They are common, but learners might confuse 備 with similar looking kanji like 借 or 慣.

Schreiben 5/5

Writing 備 by hand is quite complex (12 strokes) and requires memorizing the person radical and the right-side components.

Sprechen 2/5

Phonetically very simple ('yobi'). Easy to pronounce for English speakers.

Hören 3/5

Can easily be confused with 曜日 (youbi - day of the week) or 指 (yubi - finger) if the speaker speaks quickly or the learner isn't attuned to pitch accent.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

鍵 (kagi - key) 電池 (denchi - battery) 準備 (junbi - preparation) 予定 (yotei - plan) 持つ (motsu - to hold/have)

Als Nächstes lernen

スペア (supea - spare) 控え (hikae - reserve) 代わり (kawari - substitute) 万が一 (man ga ichi - by some chance/emergency) 保管する (hokan suru - to store/keep)

Fortgeschritten

冗長化 (jouchouka - redundancy in IT) 代替案 (daitaian - alternative plan) 補欠 (hoketsu - substitute personnel) 予備役 (yobieki - military reserve) 偶発債務 (guuhatsu saimu - contingent liability)

Wichtige Grammatik

Noun + の + Noun

予備の鍵 (yobi no kagi - spare key)

~ておく (Doing something in advance)

予備を買っておく (Buy a spare in advance)

~のために (For the sake of)

万が一のために予備を持つ (Have a spare for emergencies)

~として (As a ~)

予備として保管する (Store as a spare)

Compound Nouns (Noun + Noun without の)

予備日 (yobibi - reserve day)

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

これは予備のペンです。

This is a spare pen.

Noun + の + Noun pattern.

予備の鍵がありますか？

Do you have a spare key?

Question using ありますか.

予備のタオルをください。

Please give me a spare towel.

Using をください to request something.

予備のマスクを持っています。

I have a spare mask.

Using 持っています for possession.

予備の電池を買います。

I will buy spare batteries.

Basic verb 買います.

予備のノートが必要です。

I need a spare notebook.

Using が必要です (is necessary).

予備の傘は車の中にあります。

The spare umbrella is in the car.

Location particle に.

予備の靴下を持っていきます。

I will take spare socks.

Using 持っていきます (take/carry away).

テストのために予備の消しゴムを用意しました。

I prepared a spare eraser for the test.

Using 用意しました (prepared).

雨が降ったら、予備日に試合をします。

If it rains, we will play the game on the reserve day.

Compound noun 予備日 (yobibi).

このパソコンには予備のバッテリーがありません。

This computer does not have a spare battery.

Negative existence ありません.

旅行に行く時、いつも予備のお金を持ちます。

When I go on a trip, I always carry spare money.

Time clause with 時 (toki).

予備のシャツに着替えてください。

Please change into a spare shirt.

Verb 着替える (to change clothes).

もしものために、予備を買っておきましょう。

Let's buy a spare just in case.

Using ~ておく for advance preparation.

予備の部屋があるので、泊まってもいいですよ。

I have a spare room, so you can stay over.

Giving permission with ~てもいいです.

予備の部品が届くまで待ちます。

I will wait until the spare parts arrive.

Using まで (until).

彼は来年大学に入るために、予備校に通っています。

He is attending a cram school to enter university next year.

Compound word 予備校 (cram school).

この本を読むには、ある程度の予備知識が必要です。

To read this book, a certain amount of background knowledge is necessary.

Compound word 予備知識 (background knowledge).

会議の前に、予備の資料を印刷しておいてください。

Please print out spare documents before the meeting.

Using ~ておく in a request (~ておいてください).

万が一システムがダウンした時のために、予備のサーバーがあります。

We have a backup server in case the system goes down.

Using 万が一 (in the unlikely event).

予算には予備費が含まれているので安心です。

The budget includes a contingency fund, so it's a relief.

Compound word 予備費 (contingency fund).

計画Aが失敗した時のために、予備の計画を立てるべきだ。

We should make a backup plan in case Plan A fails.

Using べきだ (should).

自転車のタイヤがパンクしたので、予備のタイヤと交換した。

My bicycle tire got a flat, so I replaced it with the spare tire.

Verb 交換する (to exchange/replace).

予備のデータはクラウドに保存されています。

The backup data is saved in the cloud.

Passive voice 保存されている.

大統領選挙に向けて、各州で予備選挙が始まりました。

Primary elections have started in each state ahead of the presidential election.

Compound word 予備選挙 (primary election).

健康診断で、糖尿病予備軍だと診断されてショックを受けた。

I was shocked to be diagnosed as pre-diabetic at my health checkup.

Metaphorical use of 予備軍 (pre-condition group).

本番の実験を行う前に、綿密な予備調査を実施する必要がある。

Before conducting the actual experiment, it is necessary to carry out a thorough preliminary investigation.

Compound word 予備調査 (preliminary investigation).

停電が発生した場合、自動的に予備電源に切り替わるシステムになっています。

In the event of a power outage, the system is designed to automatically switch to the backup power supply.

Compound word 予備電源 (backup power supply).

あの俳優は怪我をした主演俳優の予備としてキャスティングされていた。

That actor was cast as a backup for the injured lead actor.

Using 予備として (as a backup).

危機管理の観点から、常に予備のルートを確保しておくことが重要です。

From a crisis management perspective, it is important to always secure a backup route.

Advanced vocabulary 危機管理 (crisis management).

そのプロジェクトは予備段階で中止となってしまった。

The project was cancelled at the preliminary stage.

Compound word 予備段階 (preliminary stage).

海外旅行の際は、パスポートのコピーを予備として別のカバンに入れておくと良い。

When traveling abroad, it's good to put a copy of your passport in a different bag as a backup.

Using ~ておくと良い (it is good to do ~ in advance).

裁判長は、証拠の採用を決定する前に予備審問を開くことを命じた。

The presiding judge ordered a preliminary hearing to be held before deciding on the admissibility of the evidence.

Legal compound 予備審問 (preliminary hearing).

国家の安全保障上、一定数の予備役兵力を維持することは不可欠である。

For national security reasons, maintaining a certain number of military reserve forces is essential.

Military compound 予備役 (military reserve).

今年度の国家予算案において、予備費の計上が昨年度の２倍に膨れ上がった。

In this year's national budget proposal, the allocation of contingency funds has swelled to twice that of last year.

Economic context using 予備費 (contingency fund).

その論文は、本研究の予備的考察としての位置付けにとどまっている。

That paper remains positioned merely as a preliminary consideration for the main research.

Academic phrasing 予備的考察 (preliminary consideration).

サプライチェーンの寸断に備え、主要な予備部品の国内生産を強化する方針だ。

In preparation for supply chain disruptions, the policy is to strengthen the domestic production of key spare parts.

Business context 予備部品 (spare parts).

彼は予備校講師としてのカリスマ性を買われ、テレビ番組のコメンテーターに抜擢された。

Recognized for his charisma as a cram school instructor, he was selected as a TV program commentator.

Cultural context 予備校講師 (cram school instructor).

いざという時のための予備の資金が底を突き、経営は火の車となった。

The reserve funds for emergencies ran out, and the management fell into severe financial distress.

Idiomatic expression 予備の資金が底を突く (reserve funds run out).

この機械の予備品リストを精査し、陳腐化しているものを廃棄する手続きを進めてくれ。

Scrutinize the spare parts list for this machine and proceed with the procedure to discard the obsolete ones.

Technical compound 予備品 (spare item/part).

憲法改正の発議には、両院での厳格な予備的手続きを経ることが求められる。

Initiating a constitutional amendment requires going through strict preliminary procedures in both houses.

Legal phrasing 予備的手続き (preliminary procedures).

予備交渉の段階で双方の思惑が激しく衝突し、本条約の締結は絶望視されている。

At the preliminary negotiation stage, the ulterior motives of both sides clashed violently, making the conclusion of the main treaty seem hopeless.

Diplomatic compound 予備交渉 (preliminary negotiations).

その企業は、巨額の偶発債務に対する予備的引当金を計上せざるを得なかった。

The company had no choice but to record a preliminary allowance for a massive contingent liability.

Accounting jargon 予備的引当金 (preliminary allowance/provision).

彼の主張は、いかなる予備的検証も経ていない単なる憶測の域を出ない。

His claims do not go beyond mere speculation that has not undergone any preliminary verification.

Academic phrasing 予備的検証 (preliminary verification).

有事の際、予備自衛官が直ちに動員される体制が法的に整備されている。

A system is legally established whereby reserve self-defense force personnel are immediately mobilized in the event of an emergency.

Defense terminology 予備自衛官 (reserve self-defense official).

古典文学の解釈において、当時の時代背景に関する予備知識の欠如は致命的な誤読を招く。

In the interpretation of classical literature, a lack of background knowledge regarding the historical context of the time leads to fatal misreadings.

Advanced usage of 予備知識 (background knowledge).

当該システムは、メイン系と予備系の完全な冗長化構成を採用し、可用性を極限まで高めている。

The system in question adopts a fully redundant configuration of main and standby systems, maximizing availability to the utmost limit.

IT engineering jargon 予備系 (standby/backup system).

予備罪の成立範囲をめぐる刑法学界の論争は、未だに決着を見ていない。

The debate in the field of criminal law regarding the scope of establishing the crime of preparation has not yet seen a resolution.

Legal jargon 予備罪 (crime of preparation).

Synonyme

控え蓄えストック準備

Gegenteile

本番使用中

Häufige Kollokationen

予備の鍵

予備校

予備知識

予備日

予備軍

予備費

予備電源

予備選挙

予備調査

予備タイヤ

Häufige Phrasen

予備として

— As a spare; as a backup. Used to explain the purpose of an item.

これを予備として持っておいてください。

予備のために

— For the sake of having a backup; just in case.

予備のために、もう一つ買おう。

予備がない

— There are no spares; we are out of backups.

申し訳ありません、予備がないんです。

予備を用意する

— To prepare a spare; to get a backup ready.

明日のために予備を用意しておく。

予備に切り替える

— To switch to the backup (system, power, etc.).

メインサーバーから予備に切り替える。

予備知識を入れる

— To acquire preliminary knowledge before doing something.

会議の前に予備知識を入れておく。

予備を買っておく

— To buy a spare in advance.

インクの予備を買っておく。

予備を置く

— To keep a spare somewhere.

車に予備を置いてある。

予備を使う

— To use the spare.

本物が壊れたので予備を使った。

予備を持参する

— To bring a spare with you (formal).

試験には予備の鉛筆を持参すること。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

予備 vs 曜日 (youbi)

Means 'day of the week'. Pronounced with a long 'o' sound. 予備 has a short 'o'.

予備 vs 指 (yubi)

Means 'finger'. The first vowel is 'u', not 'o'.

予備 vs 準備 (junbi)

Means 'preparation' (the action). 予備 is the 'spare' (the item) resulting from preparation.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"予備軍"

— Literally 'reserve army'. Used metaphorically to describe a group of people who are on the verge of developing a certain condition or entering a certain state (e.g., pre-diabetics, potential dropouts).

彼は完全に糖尿病の予備軍だ。

Neutral/Journalistic

"予備知識がゼロ"

— Having absolutely no background knowledge about a topic. A common conversational exaggeration.

予備知識がゼロの状態でその映画を見た。

Casual/Neutral

"予備費を食いつぶす"

— To eat up or exhaust the contingency funds. Used when unexpected expenses drain the backup budget.

トラブル続きで、あっという間に予備費を食いつぶしてしまった。

Business/Informal

"予備を引っ張り出す"

— To drag out or pull out the spare. Implies reluctantly having to use the backup because the main one failed.

古いパソコンを予備として引っ張り出してきた。

Casual

"予備の予備"

— A backup for the backup. Used to emphasize extreme caution or paranoia about being unprepared.

心配だから、予備の予備まで持っていくよ。

Casual

"予備校通い"

— The act or period of commuting to a cram school, often associated with the stressful life of a 'ronin' (a student who failed entrance exams and is trying again).

彼は一年間、予備校通いをしている。

Neutral

"予備電源が落ちる"

— When the backup power fails. Often used metaphorically to mean someone has completely run out of energy after pushing themselves too hard.

もう限界だ、俺の予備電源が落ちそう。

Casual/Slang

"予備日を設ける"

— To set aside a reserve day. A standard idiom in event planning.

梅雨の時期なので、必ず予備日を設けてください。

Formal/Business

"予備審査をパスする"

— To pass a preliminary screening. Common in academic submissions, loans, or auditions.

まずは住宅ローンの予備審査をパスしなければならない。

Formal

"予備役に退く"

— To retire to the reserves. Originally military, but sometimes used jokingly when someone steps down from a frontline role in a project or company.

第一線を退いて、これからは予備役として若手をサポートするよ。

Formal/Metaphorical

Leicht verwechselbar

予備 vs 準備 (junbi)

Both share the kanji 備 and relate to getting ready.

準備 is the action of preparing (e.g., studying for a test, packing a bag). 予備 is the actual extra item you packed (e.g., the spare shirt). You cannot say 'I am doing yobi for the party'.

パーティーの準備（×予備）をする。

予備 vs スペア (supea)

Both mean 'spare'.

スペア is only used for physical, mechanical objects (keys, tires, parts). 予備 can be used for abstract things (funds, plans, days, knowledge).

予備知識（×スペア知識）が必要だ。

予備 vs 余分 (yobun)

Both can mean 'extra'.

余分 implies an excess or surplus that might not be needed. 予備 is an intentional backup kept for a specific future need.

余分な（×予備な）お肉を減らしたい。

予備 vs 控え (hikae)

Both can translate to 'reserve'.

控え is used for human reserves (like substitute players on a bench) or duplicate documents. 予備 is rarely used for people unless in a military or strict administrative sense.

彼はサッカーの控え（×予備）選手だ。

予備 vs 代わり (kawari)

Both relate to replacing something.

代わり is the replacement item or person currently taking the place of the original. 予備 is the item sitting in storage *waiting* to become the replacement.

先生の代わり（×予備）が来た。

Satzmuster

これは予備の[Noun]です。

これは予備のペンです。 (This is a spare pen.)

予備の[Noun]がありますか？

予備のタオルがありますか？ (Do you have a spare towel?)

予備を[Verb]ておきます。

予備を買っておきます。 (I will buy a spare in advance.)

[Event]の予備日は[Date]です。

運動会の予備日は明日です。 (The reserve day for the sports festival is tomorrow.)

[Noun]の予備知識が必要です。

歴史の予備知識が必要です。 (Background knowledge of history is necessary.)

万が一に備えて、予備の[Noun]を[Verb]。

万が一に備えて、予備のデータを保存する。 (Save backup data in case of an emergency.)

[Noun]として予備を[Verb]。

代替案として予備の計画を提示する。 (Present a backup plan as an alternative.)

予備的[Noun]を実施する。

予備的調査を実施する。 (Conduct a preliminary investigation.)

Wortfamilie

Substantive

予備 (yobi - spare)

準備 (junbi - preparation)

装備 (soubi - equipment)

守備 (shubi - defense)

予定 (yotei - plan)

予想 (yosou - prediction)

Verben

備える (sonaeru - to prepare/equip)

予め (arakajime - beforehand - adverb form of 予)

Verwandt

スペア (supea - spare)

控え (hikae - reserve)

代わり (kawari - substitute)

ストック (sutokku - stock)

余分 (yobun - excess)

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Japanese.

Häufige Fehler

予備する (yobi suru) → 準備する (junbi suru) / 予備を用意する (yobi o youi suru)
Learners often try to use 予備 as a verb meaning 'to prepare'. 予備 is only a noun. You must use 準備 for the action, or say 'prepare a spare'.
予備鍵 (yobikagi) → 予備の鍵 (yobi no kagi)
While some words are compounds, everyday items require the particle の to connect the modifier to the noun.
予備選手 (yobi senshu) → 控えの選手 (hikae no senshu)
While understandable, native speakers rarely use 予備 for human sports substitutes. 控え (hikae) is the natural term.
パーティーの予備 (paatii no yobi) → パーティーの準備 (paatii no junbi)
If you mean 'preparations for the party', you must use 準備. 予備 would mean a 'spare party', which makes no sense.
余分な知識 (yobunna chishiki) → 予備知識 (yobi chishiki)
If you mean 'background knowledge' needed for a task, it's 予備知識. 余分な知識 means 'unnecessary/excess knowledge'.

Tipps

Always use の for items

When talking about a spare object, always link 予備 and the object with の. 予備のペン (spare pen), 予備の靴下 (spare socks).

Keep it short

Don't drag out the 'o' sound. Yo-bi. If you say You-bi, people will think you are asking about the day of the week.

Don't use as a verb

Never say 予備する (yobi suru). It is strictly a noun. Use 準備する (junbi suru) if you mean 'to prepare'.

Tires and Keys

For tires and keys, the English loanword スペア (supea) is just as common, if not more common, than 予備. Both are perfectly fine.

Yobikou Context

If a Japanese person mentions they went to a 予備校 (yobikou), they mean a cram school for university exams, not a 'spare school'.

Contingency Planning

In business meetings, asking 予備のプランはありますか？ (Do you have a backup plan?) makes you sound very professional and thorough.

Yobigun Warning

If a doctor calls you a 糖尿病予備軍 (tounyoubyou yobigun), it means you are pre-diabetic. Take it seriously!

Rain Dates

When reading event flyers, look for the word 予備日 (yobibi). This is the date the event will be held if it gets rained out.

Yobi chishiki

Use 予備知識ゼロ (yobi chishiki zero) to casually say you went into a movie or situation completely blind, with no background info.

Disaster Prep

When packing an emergency bag, refer to your extra supplies as 予備の水 (spare water) or 予備の電池 (spare batteries).

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine playing with a YO-yo (予) that breaks, so you pull out a spare one like a BEE (備) buzzing out of your pocket. YO-yo BEE -> Yobi -> Spare.

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a large, glowing letter 'Y' and 'O' painted on a spare tire in the trunk of a car. Next to it is a 'B' and 'I'. YO-BI = Spare tire.

Word Web

予備 (Spare) -> 鍵 (Key: 予備の鍵) -> 電池 (Battery: 予備の電池) -> 日 (Day: 予備日 - Reserve day) -> 校 (School: 予備校 - Cram school) -> 知識 (Knowledge: 予備知識 - Background info) -> 準備 (Preparation: Related word) -> スペア (Spare: English loanword) -> 予め (Beforehand: Same kanji)

Herausforderung

Look around your room right now. Find three things that you have a 'spare' of. Point to them and say 'Kore wa yobi no [item name] desu.' (This is a spare [item]).

Wortherkunft

The word comes from Middle Chinese. The kanji 予 (yo) originally meant 'I' or 'myself' in classical Chinese, but was borrowed phonetically to mean 'beforehand' or 'previously' (sharing meaning with 預). The kanji 備 (bi) means 'to equip', 'to provide', or 'to prepare'. Together, they literally mean 'to equip beforehand'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To prepare equipment or provisions in advance of an event.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Kultureller Kontext

There are no major cultural sensitivities or offensive connotations associated with the word 予備. It is a safe, polite, and highly useful word in all contexts.

In English, 'spare' is often used casually. In Japan, having a 'yobi' is often seen as a sign of responsibility and maturity, especially in business and event planning.

Yoyogi Seminar (代々木ゼミナール) - One of Japan's most famous 'yobikou' (cram schools). The concept of 'Yobigun' (予備軍) frequently appears in Japanese public health campaigns, like warning against becoming a 'Metabo Yobigun' (pre-metabolic syndrome). In anime and manga, mecha pilots often have to switch to 'Yobi dengen' (backup power) during intense battles.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Traveling and Hotels

予備のタオル (spare towel)
予備のキー (spare key)
予備の現金 (spare cash)
予備を持参する (bring a spare)

School and Exams

予備校 (cram school)
予備の消しゴム (spare eraser)
予備知識 (background knowledge)
予備日 (reserve day)

Driving and Cars

予備タイヤ (spare tire)
予備の燃料 (reserve fuel)
スペアキー (spare key)
予備として積んでおく (keep loaded as a spare)

Business and IT

予備電源 (backup power)
予備サーバー (backup server)
予備費 (contingency fund)
予備のプラン (backup plan)

Health and Emergencies

予備の薬 (spare medicine)
予備軍 (pre-condition group)
予備の食料 (emergency food)
予備を確保する (secure a reserve)

Gesprächseinstiege

"旅行に行く時、必ず予備として持っていくものはありますか？ (Is there anything you always bring as a spare when traveling?)"

"日本には予備校がたくさんありますが、どう思いますか？ (There are many cram schools in Japan; what do you think about that?)"

"スマホの予備バッテリーはいつも持ち歩いていますか？ (Do you always carry a spare smartphone battery?)"

"もしものために、家に予備の食料を置いていますか？ (Do you keep spare food at home just in case?)"

"予備の計画（プランB）を立てるタイプですか？ (Are you the type to make a backup plan (Plan B)?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Write about a time when having a 'yobi' (spare) saved you from a bad situation.

Describe what kind of 'yobi' items you have in your car or travel bag and why.

Explain the difference between 'yobi' and 'junbi' using your own examples.

Write a short story about a detective who finds a 'yobi no kagi' (spare key) at a crime scene.

Discuss the concept of 'yobikou' (cram schools) in Japan. Do you think they are necessary?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Generally, no. For sports substitutes, use 控え (hikae). For someone taking over a job, use 代わり (kawari). 予備 is mostly for objects, plans, or funds. However, in specific terms like 予備軍 (reserve army/pre-condition group) or 予備役 (military reserves), it is used for people.

If you are modifying a standard noun (like a key or pen), yes: 予備の鍵. However, for established compound words (like 予備校 - cram school, or 予備日 - reserve day), the の is dropped. When in doubt with everyday objects, use の.

準備 is a verb/noun meaning the *act* of preparing. 予備 is a noun meaning the *spare item* or backup plan. You do 準備 to ensure you have a 予備.

For car keys and tires, スペア is very common and sounds natural. However, 予備 is a traditional Japanese word that works in almost all situations where スペア works, plus many more (like abstract concepts). 予備 is safer and more versatile.

You can say 予備の計画 (yobi no keikaku) or 予備案 (yobian). In business, 代替案 (daitaian - alternative plan) is also very common.

It translates to 'cram school' or 'preparatory school'. It's an institution where students study intensively to pass university entrance exams. It literally means a school for 'preparing beforehand'.

It is pronounced 'yo-bi'. Make sure the 'yo' is short. If you elongate it to 'you-bi', it means 'day of the week'.

No, 予備 cannot be used as a suru-verb. You cannot say 予備する. To express the action of preparing a spare, you must say 予備を用意する (prepare a spare) or 予備を買っておく (buy a spare in advance).

It means 'preliminary knowledge' or 'background information'. It's the knowledge you need to have *before* you can fully understand a movie, book, or lecture.

Japan experiences many natural disasters, so preparedness is culturally ingrained. Having a 'yobi' (spare) for emergencies is considered responsible and mature.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen