How to Say "ready" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “ready” is “listo” — use 'listo' when something is prepared, finished, or about to happen, often referring to food, people, or situations..
listo
/lees-toh//ˈlisto/
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-doh/pɾepaˈɾaðo/
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.)
hecha
AY-chah/ˈe.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.)
dispuesta
dees-PWEHS-tah/disˈpwes.ta/
Examples
Mi hermana está dispuesta a conducir toda la noche.
My sister is willing to drive all night.
Si estás dispuesta, podemos empezar la reunión ahora.
If you are ready, we can start the meeting now.
Ella no estaba dispuesta a escuchar excusas.
She was not willing to listen to excuses.
Gender and Number Match
As an adjective, 'dispuesta' must match the person or thing it describes. Since this form ends in '-a', it is used only for feminine singular subjects (like 'ella' or 'la casa').
Using 'Estar'
This word almost always pairs with the verb 'estar' (to be) because it describes a temporary state or condition (being ready or willing).
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “Using 'dispuesta' to describe a male subject: 'Él está dispuesta a ir.'”
Correction: Use the masculine form: 'Él está dispuesto a ir.' (He is willing to go.)
pronto
/PRON-toh//ˈpɾon.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-toh//aˈtento/
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.
puestos
PWEH-stohs/ˈpwes.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
Related Translations
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