How to Say ‘Prepare a small cake’ in Simplified Chinese
准备一个小蛋糕
zhǔn bèi yī gè xiǎo dàn gāo
[jween bay ee guh shyaow dan gaow]
💬 Usage Tip: A common pattern is verb + number/measure word + noun: [准备一个小蛋糕], [订一张桌子], [要一杯水]. [小] goes before the noun, so literally it's 'prepare one small cake.'
Phrase Breakdown
准备
zhǔn bèi
to prepare; to get ready
Means to make something ready in advance.
我准备去买蛋糕。
I’m preparing to go buy a cake.
Words in this phrase
准
zhǔn
[jween]
to prepare; ready
准 contributes the idea of getting something ready in advance.
麻烦你们准备用于庆生的甜点。
Please prepare a dessert for the birthday celebration.
备
bèi
[bay]
to equip; to get ready
备 adds the sense of arranging or having something ready.
餐厅已经备好了蜡烛和餐具。
The restaurant has already prepared the candles and tableware.
一个
yī gè
one; a/an
A measure phrase meaning one item.
我要一个蛋糕。
I want one cake.
Words in this phrase
一
yī
[ee]
one
一 means one and often comes before a measure word.
我们想准备一个小惊喜。
We want to prepare a small surprise.
个
gè
[guh]
general measure word
个 is a common classifier used after numbers.
请帮我留一个靠里面的座位。
Please save an inside seat for me.
小
xiǎo
[shyaow]
small; little
小 describes something small, modest, or light.
我们只想要一个小装饰，不用太复杂。
We only want a small decoration; it doesn’t need to be too complicated.
蛋糕
dàn gāo
[dan gaow]
cake
蛋糕 is a cake, commonly ordered for birthdays or anniversaries.
准备一个小蛋糕会让晚餐更有气氛。
Preparing a small cake will make the dinner feel more festive.
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