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📖2 definitions
📚 lista has 2 definitions
A piece of paper with a hand-drawn list of groceries, including icons for an apple and milk, representing a shopping list.

lista

/lees-tah/

NounfA1
list?a series of items written down,roster?a list of names, like for a team or class
Also:menu?in a restaurant (less common than 'menú' or 'carta'),stripe?a pattern on fabric

📝 In Action

Hice una lista de la compra.

A1

I made a shopping list.

Tu nombre no está en la lista de invitados.

A2

Your name isn't on the guest list.

El profesor va a pasar lista ahora.

B1

The teacher is going to take attendance now.

Me gusta tu camisa de listas azules y blancas.

B2

I like your blue and white striped shirt.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • relación (list, relation)
  • enumeración (enumeration)

Common Collocations

  • hacer una lista – to make a list
  • pasar lista – to take attendance / call roll
  • lista de espera – waiting list
  • lista de la compra – shopping list

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine: 'la lista'

When 'lista' means a list, it's a feminine noun. That means you'll always use 'la' or 'una' with it, like 'la lista' (the list) or 'una lista' (a list).

⭐ Usage Tips

In the Classroom: 'Pasar lista'

The phrase 'pasar lista' is the standard way to say 'to take attendance' or 'to call roll' in a school setting. It literally means 'to pass the list'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: lista

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence means 'She is clever'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

listo(ready, clever (masculine)) - adjective
listar(to list) - verb
listado(listing, printout) - noun
listín(directory (e.g., phone book)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important thing to remember about 'lista'?

The huge difference between 'ser lista' (to be clever, a personality trait) and 'estar lista' (to be ready, a temporary state). Mixing them up is a very common mistake for learners, so mastering this will make you sound much more natural!

Is 'lista' always feminine?

Great question! The noun for 'list' is always feminine: 'la lista'. However, the adjective for 'ready/clever' changes to match who or what you're talking about. It's 'lista' for feminine things ('la chica lista') and 'listo' for masculine things ('el chico listo').