How to Say "ready" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “ready” is “listo” — use 'listo' when something or someone is prepared for a general purpose or event, like food being prepared or a person being prepared to go.
listo
lees-tohˈlisto
Examples
La cena está casi lista.
Dinner is almost ready.
¿Estás listo para salir?
Are you ready to go out?
¡He terminado! ¡Listo!
I've finished! Done!
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).
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'.
preparado
preh-pah-RAH-dohpɾepaˈɾaðo
Examples
¿Estás preparado para salir ahora mismo?
Are you ready to leave right now?
La comida ya está preparada, podemos comer.
The food is already prepared, we can eat.
Ella es una candidata muy preparada para el puesto.
She is a very qualified candidate for the position.
It Changes Form
Since 'preparado' acts like an adjective, it must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'preparada' (feminine singular), 'preparados' (masculine plural), and 'preparadas' (feminine plural).
Use with Estar vs. Ser
Use 'estar preparado' (to be ready) to talk about a temporary state of readiness. Use 'ser preparado' (to be prepared/qualified) to describe a person's permanent skill or education level.
Forgetting Gender/Number Match
Mistake: “Los estudiantes está preparado.”
Correction: Los estudiantes están preparados. (The ending '-os' must match the plural masculine students.)
dispuesto
dees-POO-ess-tohdisˈpwes.to
Examples
Estoy dispuesto a ayudarte con la mudanza.
I am willing to help you with the move.
Si estás dispuesta a trabajar duro, tendrás éxito.
If you are ready to work hard, you will succeed.
Los niños estaban dispuestos para salir al recreo.
The children were ready to go out for recess.
Agreement is Essential
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'dispuesto' must match the person or thing it describes: 'dispuesto' (m. singular), 'dispuesta' (f. singular), 'dispuestos' (m. plural), 'dispuestas' (f. plural).
Using 'a' for Actions
When you say you are 'willing' to do an action, you must follow 'dispuesto' with the preposition 'a' and then the base verb form (infinitive): 'dispuesto a trabajar'.
Forgetting the Preposition
Mistake: “Estamos dispuestos ayudar.”
Correction: Estamos dispuestos *a* ayudar. (The 'a' is necessary before the action verb.)
hecha
AY-chahˈe.tʃa
Examples
La tarea está hecha, por fin puedo descansar.
The homework is done; I can finally rest.
¿La comida ya está hecha? ¡Tengo mucha hambre!
Is the food ready yet? I'm very hungry!
Feminine Agreement
As the feminine singular form, 'hecha' must agree with a feminine singular noun, like 'la casa' or 'la cena'.
Ser vs. Estar
When used to mean 'finished' or 'ready', 'hecha' almost always pairs with 'estar' because it describes the temporary state or result of an action.
Using the Masculine Form
Mistake: “La mesa está hecho.”
Correction: La mesa está hecha. (Because 'mesa' is feminine, the participle must be too.)
pronto
PRON-tohˈpɾon.to
Examples
Estoy pronto para salir.
I am ready to leave.
Ella es una mujer pronta y decidida.
She is a quick and decisive woman.
Dieron una pronta respuesta a nuestra solicitud.
They gave a quick response to our request.
An Adjective That Changes
When 'pronto' is an adjective meaning 'ready' or 'quick', it describes a person or thing. This means it has to change to match what it's describing: 'pronto' (masculine), 'pronta' (feminine), 'prontos' (masculine plural), 'prontas' (feminine plural).
Forgetting to Change the Ending
Mistake: “La comida está pronto.”
Correction: La comida está pronta. Because 'comida' is a feminine word, the adjective describing it must also be feminine.
atento
ah-TEN-tohaˈtento
Examples
Estén atentos a la hora de salida del tren.
Be alert for the train's departure time.
El vigilante debe estar atento toda la noche.
The guard must be on the lookout all night.
Use with 'Estar'
This meaning is almost always used with the verb estar because it describes a temporary state of readiness or vigilance.
presto
PRESS-tohˈpɾesto
Examples
El equipo está presto para el inicio del torneo.
The team is ready for the start of the tournament.
Siempre está presto a colaborar con nosotros.
He is always ready/willing to collaborate with us.
Dio una respuesta presta y eficaz.
He gave a quick and effective answer.
Matching the Noun
Since this is an adjective, it must match the person. Use 'presto' for a man and 'presta' for a woman.
Confusing with 'Ready' (Listo)
Mistake: “Estoy presto para ir al cine.”
Correction: Estoy listo para ir al cine. (Presto sounds way too dramatic/formal for going to the movies).
puestos
PWEH-stohsˈpwes.tos
Examples
Los libros están puestos en el estante superior.
The books are placed on the top shelf.
Ellos están puestos a defender su posición.
They are determined (or ready) to defend their position.
Con los sombreros puestos, salieron a la calle.
With their hats on (wearing them), they went out into the street.
Agreement is Key
As an adjective (the past participle of 'poner'), 'puestos' must match the thing it describes in number (plural) and gender (masculine). If you were talking about 'las mesas' (feminine plural), you would use 'puestas'.
'Poner' vs. 'Estar'
Remember that 'puestos' describes the result of the action of 'putting.' We use it with 'estar' (to be) to describe the current state: 'Los vasos están puestos' (The glasses are in the placed state).
Mixing Genders
Mistake: “Los sillas están puestos.”
Correction: Las sillas están puestas. (Since 'sillas' is feminine plural, the adjective must also be feminine plural.)
Listo vs. Preparado
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