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listo

/lees-toh/

ready

A cartoon illustration of a track runner crouched low at the starting block, looking focused and poised, ready to begin the race.

Cuando algo o alguien está listo, significa que está preparado o 'ready' para una acción o evento.

listo(Adjective)

mA1

ready

?

prepared for something

Also:

done

?

when a task is finished

,

finished

?

completed

📝 In Action

La cena está casi lista.

A1

Dinner is almost ready.

¿Estás listo para salir?

A1

Are you ready to go out?

¡He terminado! ¡Listo!

A2

I've finished! Done!

Necesito que los informes estén listos para el lunes.

B1

I need the reports to be ready by Monday.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • preparado (prepared)

Antonyms

  • desprevenido (unprepared)

Common Collocations

  • estar listo para – to be ready for/to
  • ¡Listos, ya! – Ready, set, go!

💡 Grammar Points

Always Use with 'Estar'

To say that someone or something is ready, you must use the verb 'estar'. Think of 'ready' as a temporary state, and 'estar' is the verb for states and conditions. For example, 'Estoy listo' (I am ready).

Matching Gender and Number

Like most adjectives, 'listo' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'lista' for feminine singular (la cena está lista), 'listos' for masculine plural (estamos listos), and 'listas' for feminine plural (las maletas están listas).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Ser' Instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: "Soy listo para el examen."

Correction: Estoy listo para el examen. Using 'ser' changes the meaning completely to 'I am a smart person for the exam,' which doesn't make sense. For the state of being 'ready,' always use 'estar'.

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'Done!' Shortcut

You can use '¡Listo!' all by itself as an exclamation. It's a quick way to say 'Done!', 'Finished!', or 'All set!' after you complete a task.

A colorful illustration of a child successfully placing the final piece of a complex jigsaw puzzle, with a small, bright lightbulb illuminating above their head, symbolizing cleverness and intelligence.

Si alguien es listo, significa que es inteligente o 'smart' (a permanent characteristic).

listo(Adjective)

mA2

smart

?

intelligent

Also:

clever

?

quick-witted

,

cunning

?

sly or shrewd

📝 In Action

Mi hermana es la más lista de la clase.

A2

My sister is the smartest in the class.

Es un perro muy listo, aprende los trucos rápido.

A2

He's a very smart dog, he learns tricks quickly.

Tienes que ser muy listo para resolver este problema.

B1

You have to be very clever to solve this problem.

Ten cuidado con ese vendedor, es muy listo.

B2

Be careful with that salesman, he's very cunning.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • inteligente (intelligent)
  • astuto (astute, clever)

Antonyms

  • tonto (silly, dumb)
  • estúpido (stupid)

Common Collocations

  • ser muy listo – to be very smart
  • pasarse de listo – to be a wise guy, to get too clever for one's own good

Idioms & Expressions

  • el listo de la clase – The know-it-all of the class

💡 Grammar Points

Always Use with 'Ser'

To describe someone as smart or clever, you must use the verb 'ser'. Think of 'smart' as a personality trait or a characteristic, and 'ser' is the verb for characteristics. For example, 'Ella es muy lista' (She is very smart).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Estar' Instead of 'Ser'

Mistake: "Mi profesor está muy listo."

Correction: Mi profesor es muy listo. Saying 'está listo' means your teacher is 'ready' for something. To say he is an intelligent person, you must use 'ser'.

⭐ Usage Tips

A Hint of 'Sly'

While 'listo' usually just means 'smart,' it can sometimes have a slightly negative feel, like 'cunning' or 'sly.' The tone of voice and context will tell you if someone is being complimented or warned about.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: listo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly says, 'The students are ready for the test'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

lista(list) - noun
listillo(know-it-all, smart aleck) - adjective/noun
listar(to list) - verb
alistarse(to get ready, to enlist) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important difference between 'ser listo' and 'estar listo'?

It's all about permanent vs. temporary! Use 'ser listo' to describe a person's intelligence, which is seen as a permanent characteristic ('He *is* a smart person'). Use 'estar listo' to describe a temporary state of being prepared or ready for something ('He *is ready* for the game').

Can 'lista' mean something other than the feminine form of 'listo'?

Yes! 'La lista' is also a very common noun that means 'the list,' as in a shopping list ('la lista de la compra'). The context almost always makes the meaning clear.