German Phrase
Wir bereiten eins vor.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘We are preparing one (item).’ It is used when a group is in the process of getting a single dish, document, presentation, or any other singular object ready.
When to use
Use this phrase in kitchens, labs, offices, or any situation where you want to tell someone that your team is currently preparing exactly one thing. It emphasizes the quantity (one) rather than the type of item.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wirbereiteneinsvor
Separable verb (vorbereiten)
In the present tense, the prefix 'vor' moves to the end of the clause: 'Wir bereiten ... vor.'
Numeral as pronoun
‘eins’ can stand alone as a pronoun meaning ‘one (thing)’, but it is less common than specifying the noun.
Verb conjugation
‘bereiten’ is conjugated like regular weak verbs: ich bereite, du bereitest, er/sie/es bereitet, wir bereiten, etc.
🗨In Conversation
Was kocht ihr heute?
What are you cooking today?
Wir bereiten eins vor.
We are preparing one.
✕Common Mistakes
Wir bereiten ein vor.
‘ein’ is an indefinite article; you need the numeral ‘eins’ when it stands alone as a pronoun.
Wir bereiten vor eins.
In a main clause the prefix must go to the end, not stay attached.
Wir bereiten uns eins vor.
‘sich vorbereiten’ is reflexive (to prepare oneself); here we talk about preparing an object.
↔Alternatives
Wir bereiten etwas vor.
We are preparing something.
Wir bereiten einen vor.
We are preparing one (masculine noun).
Wir bereiten das eine vor.
We are preparing the one.
Cultural Tip
German separable verbs like ‘vorbereiten’ split the prefix in main clauses, which can feel odd to English speakers. Also, native speakers usually replace ‘eins’ with the actual noun (e.g., ‘Wir bereiten das Essen vor’) unless the context makes the object obvious.