alistar
“alistar” means “to get ready” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to get ready
Also: to prepare
📝 In Action
Tengo que alistar mi maleta para el vuelo de mañana.
A2I have to get my suitcase ready for tomorrow's flight.
Ella ya alistó la mesa para la cena.
A2She already prepared the table for dinner.
Por favor, alista a los niños para ir a la escuela.
B1Please, get the kids ready to go to school.
to enlist
Also: to enroll
📝 In Action
El gobierno alistó a miles de reclutas.
B2The government enlisted thousands of recruits.
Lo alistaron en el equipo de fútbol local.
B1They enrolled him in the local soccer team.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: alistar
Question 1 of 3
If you are 'alistando la maleta', what are you doing?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish prefix 'a-' (towards) and 'lista' (list), literally meaning 'to put on a list' or 'to bring into a state of readiness'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'alistar' and 'preparar'?
They are often interchangeable, but 'alistar' usually implies getting something ready for an immediate departure or a specific upcoming event, while 'preparar' is more general.
Can I use 'alistar' to mean 'to make a list'?
Not really. To make a list, you should say 'hacer una lista'. 'Alistar' means to prepare things or to enroll someone.
Is it more common in Spain or Latin America?
It is significantly more common in Latin American countries (like Colombia, Mexico, or Peru) for daily activities. In Spain, it is mostly used in military or formal contexts.