Understanding the Difference: 준비했어? vs 준비됐어?

For Korean learners, distinguishing between 준비했어? and 준비됐어? can be tricky since both relate to “preparation” and “being ready.” However, they have distinct meanings and usage patterns that are important to understand.

Simple Dialogue Example

Situation: Two friends are about to leave for a movie

Friend A: 영화 보러 갈 준비했어?
Friend B: 응, 다 준비했어! 너는 준비됐어?
Friend A: 아직… 5분만 더 줘!

Translation:

Friend A: Did you prepare to go see the movie?
Friend B: Yes, I prepared everything! Are you ready?
Friend A: Not yet… give me 5 more minutes!

Korean Examples with English Interpretations

준비했어? (Did you prepare? / Have you prepared?)

숙제 준비했어?
- Did you prepare your homework?
시험 준비했어?
- Did you prepare for the exam?
저녁 준비했어?
- Did you prepare dinner?
발표 준비했어?
- Did you prepare the presentation?

준비됐어? (Are you ready? / Is it ready?)

출발할 준비됐어?
- Are you ready to leave?
음식 준비됐어?
- Is the food ready?
회의 준비됐어?
- Is everything ready for the meeting?
이제 준비됐어?
- Are you ready now?

Vocabulary Breakdown

Korean	English	Notes
준비하다	to prepare	Active verb – the action of preparing
준비되다	to be ready/prepared	Passive verb – the state of being ready
했어	did/have done	Past tense ending for action verbs
됐어	became/is now	Past tense ending for state verbs
숙제	homework	Common example context
시험	exam/test	Common example context
출발하다	to depart/leave	Often used with 준비됐어

Grammar Analysis

준비했어? – Focus on ACTION

Base form: 준비하다 (to prepare)
Structure: 준비 + 하다 + 었어
Grammar pattern: Action verb in past tense
Meaning emphasis: The process or action of preparing
Question focus: “Did you DO the preparation?”

준비됐어? – Focus on STATE

Base form: 준비되다 (to be ready)
Structure: 준비 + 되다 + 었어
Grammar pattern: Passive/state verb in past tense
Meaning emphasis: The result or current state of readiness
Question focus: “Are you IN a state of readiness?”

Key Differences Summary

Aspect	준비했어?	준비됐어?
Focus	Process/Action	Result/State
Translation	Did you prepare?	Are you ready?
Usage	Asking about effort made	Asking about current readiness
Response expectation	Yes/No about actions taken	Yes/No about current state

Usage Tips

Use 준비했어? when you want to know if someone has completed the preparation process
Use 준비됐어? when you want to know if someone/something is currently in a ready state
In conversations, 준비됐어? is more commonly used when you’re about to start something together
준비했어? is more appropriate when checking on homework, study preparation, or task completion