German Phrase
Mach die Zutaten vorher fertig.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to get the ingredients ready before you start cooking. It emphasizes the importance of preparing everything in advance so the cooking process runs smoothly.
When to use
Use this phrase in a kitchen setting, especially when giving or following a recipe, during a cooking class, or when you want to remind a friend to have all the components ready before the heat is turned on.
✦Grammar Breakdown
MachdieZutatenvorherfertig.
Imperativ (du)
Use the stem of the verb (mach) without the ending -en for the informal singular command.
Akkusativobjekt
‘die Zutaten’ is the direct object in the accusative case; the article ‘die’ stays the same for plural.
Adverb position
Temporal adverbs like ‘vorher’ are placed before the predicative adjective ‘fertig’.
Adjektiv als Prädikativ
‘fertig’ functions as a predicative adjective describing the state of the object after the action.
🗨In Conversation
Wie soll ich das Rezept starten?
How should I start the recipe?
Mach die Zutaten vorher fertig.
Prepare the ingredients beforehand.
✕Common Mistakes
Mach die Zutaten fertig vorher.
Adverb ‘vorher’ should come before ‘fertig’, not after it.
Mach den Zutaten vorher fertig.
‘Zutaten’ is plural; the correct accusative article is ‘die’, not ‘den’.
Mach die Zutaten vor fertig.
‘vor’ means ‘in front of’; the temporal adverb you need is ‘vorher’.
↔Alternatives
Bereite die Zutaten vorher zu.
Prepare the ingredients beforehand.
Stelle die Zutaten vorher bereit.
Set the ingredients ready in advance.
Richte die Zutaten vorher ein.
Arrange the ingredients beforehand.
Cultural Tip
German cooking culture values ‘Mise en place’ – having everything measured, cut, and ready before you start. Saying ‘Mach die Zutaten vorher fertig’ reflects that disciplined approach and is common in both home kitchens and professional kitchens across German‑speaking countries.