despierto
/desˈpjeɾto/
The English word awake is translated into Spanish as despierto. Wiktionary also lists listo.
Meaning: alert, aware (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| despierto | /desˈpjeɾto/ |
| listo | /ˈlisto/ |
The term is used to describe someone who is alert or aware. When expressing the state of being awake, you should use the verb estar (estar despierto) rather than ser.
Which one should you use?
Use despierto specifically to mean the state of not being asleep. If you want to describe someone who is mentally sharp, quick-witted, clever or alert, the preferred term is listo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term desvelado/a is used to mean someone who is awake or sleepless.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the subject. Use despierta for feminine subjects, despiertos for masculine plural subjects and despiertas for feminine plural subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/desˈpjeɾto/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Él está muy despierto.He's wide awake.This sentence uses despierto to describe a person who is wide awake.Tatoeba #5871370 by albrusgher, translation #1946911 by Spamster
- El bebé está despierto.The baby's awake.This sentence uses despierto to describe a baby being awake.Tatoeba #797789 by Shishir, translation #680315 by Source_VOA
- Tom está muy despierto.Tom is wide awake.Tatoeba #5871368 by albrusgher, translation #1868136 by CK
- ¿Estás despierto?Are you awake?
- Sí, estoy despierto.Yes, I am awake.
- Anoche no pude dormir. Estuve en vela.I couldn't sleep last night. I was awake.
- ¿Por qué estabas en vela?Why were you awake?
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are studying late at night.
- Mateo¿Todavía estás despierto, Elena?Are you still awake, Elena?
- ElenaSí, estoy muy despierto ahora.Yes, I am very awake now.
- MateoYo ya no me siento despierto.I don't feel awake anymore.
- ElenaEntonces deberías ir a dormir, Mateo.Then you should go to sleep, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “awake” translations and entries despierto, listo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despierto, listo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
