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listas

LEES-tas/ˈlistas/

lists

Also: rosters, menus
NounfA1
A white piece of paper pinned to a corkboard. The paper contains five distinct, simple drawn items arranged vertically, such as an apple, a pencil, and a star, representing a list.

📝 In Action

Necesito hacer dos listas de compras antes de ir al supermercado.

A1

I need to make two shopping lists before going to the supermarket.

Las listas de espera para el concierto ya están cerradas.

A2

The waiting lists for the concert are already closed.

Todas las listas de ingredientes están incompletas.

A1

All the lists of ingredients are incomplete.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • hacer listas – to make lists
  • listas de contactos – contact lists

clever

Also: smart, bright
Two young girls smiling brightly, pointing confidently at a completed, colorful geometric wooden block puzzle they solved together, symbolizing their cleverness.

📝 In Action

Esas estudiantes son muy listas; siempre sacan buenas notas.

A2

Those students are very clever; they always get good grades.

Las niñas son listas y aprenden rápido.

A2

The girls are smart and learn quickly.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ser listas – to be clever (permanent trait)

ready

Also: finished, prepared
Two women wearing hiking boots and backpacks, standing at the start of a clear path with determined expressions, looking prepared and ready to begin their journey.

📝 In Action

Las pizzas ya están listas, podemos comer.

A1

The pizzas are ready, we can eat.

Cuando las flores estén listas, las pones en el jarrón.

A2

When the flowers are ready, put them in the vase.

¿Están listas para salir a la calle?

A1

Are you (feminine plural) ready to go out?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • preparadas (prepared)
  • terminadas (finished)

Antonyms

  • incompletas (incomplete)

Common Collocations

  • estar listas – to be ready (temporary state)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "listas" in Spanish:

bright→lists→menus→prepared→rosters→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: listas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'listas' to mean 'smart'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'listas' has two distinct origins, which is why it has two main meanings. The 'list' (noun) meaning comes from Old German, related to the idea of a strip of cloth or border used for writing. The 'clever' or 'ready' (adjective) meaning likely comes from the Old Italian word 'lesto,' meaning 'quick' or 'agile.'

First recorded: 15th century (adjective usage)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: listaFrench: liste

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'son listas' and 'están listas'?

'Son listas' uses the verb 'ser' and means they are permanently clever or smart (a characteristic). 'Están listas' uses the verb 'estar' and means they are temporarily ready or prepared (a state).

Can 'listas' be used for men?

No. 'Listas' is the feminine plural form. For a group of men, or a mixed group, you would use the masculine plural form 'listos.' (e.g., 'Los chicos están listos').