¿estás listo para almorzar?
The English phrase "are you ready for lunch?" is translated into Spanish as ¿estás listo para almorzar?
This phrase is used to ask if someone is prepared to eat their midday meal. While almorzar specifically refers to having lunch, you can use the general verb comer (to eat) if you want to ask if someone is ready to eat in general.
How does it change in a sentence?
Spanish adjectives must match the gender and number of the person you are addressing. If you are asking a female if she is ready, change the adjective from listo to lista to say ¿estás lista para almorzar? If you are asking a group of people if they are ready, use the plural form ¿están listos para almorzar?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you if you are ready, a common way to respond affirmatively is to say Sí, estoy listo if you are male or Sí, estoy lista if you are female.
Did you know?
- The word listo can mean 'ready' or 'clever'. Depending on the context, asking ¿estás listo? might be asking if someone is prepared to eat or if they are smart.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, almuerzo is the most important meal of the day and is eaten much later than a typical English 'lunch', often between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
- The verb almorzar comes from the Latin admordēre, which means 'to bite'. It describes the first bite of food taken to break a fast.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are finishing their work at the office.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿estás listo para almorzar?Alejandro, are you ready for lunch?
- AlejandroSí, ya terminé mi trabajo.Yes, I already finished my work.
- ElenaPerfecto, vamos al restaurante.Perfect, let's go to the restaurant.
- AlejandroMuy bien, vamos.Very well, let's go.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries almorzar, listo, para, CC BY-SA 4.0.
