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lista

lees-tah/'lista/

“lista” means “list” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

list, roster

Also: menu, stripe
NounfA1
A piece of paper with a hand-drawn list of groceries, including icons for an apple and milk, representing a shopping list.

📝 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

ready, clever

Also: sharp
A young girl wearing a backpack and hiking boots, standing confidently at the start of a trail, indicating she is ready.

📝 In Action

La comida está lista. ¡A comer!

A2

The food is ready. Let's eat!

¿Estás lista para el examen de mañana?

A2

Are you ready for tomorrow's exam?

Mi abuela es muy lista, siempre me da buenos consejos.

B1

My grandmother is very clever, she always gives me good advice.

¡Qué lista eres! Resolviste el problema muy rápido.

B1

You're so smart! You solved the problem very quickly.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • preparada (prepared (for 'ready'))
  • inteligente (intelligent (for 'clever'))
  • astuta (astute, shrewd (for 'clever'))

Antonyms

  • tonta (silly, dumb (opposite of 'clever'))

Common Collocations

  • estar lista para – to be ready for
  • ser lista – to be clever

Idioms & Expressions

  • pasarse de lista – to be a smart aleck, to try to outsmart someone

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "lista" in Spanish:

list→menu→roster→sharp→stripe→

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

This word has two different origins, which is why it has two unrelated meanings! The noun 'lista' (a list) comes from a Germanic word 'līsta,' meaning a 'strip' or 'border,' like a strip of paper you'd write on. The adjective 'lista' (ready/clever) comes from an old form of Portuguese and Spanish, possibly related to the idea of being 'prompt' or 'quick'.

First recorded: 13th-15th centuries

Cognates (Related words)

English: listGerman: Leiste (strip, ledge)Italian: lista (list)

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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').