el desayuno está listo
/el desaʝuno esta listo/from spelling rules
The phrase "breakfast is ready" in Spanish is el desayuno está listo.
This phrase is used to inform others that the morning meal has been prepared and is available to eat.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "the breakfast is ready".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb está (from the verb *estar*) rather than *ser* because being ready is a temporary state or condition of the meal. Additionally, because desayuno is a masculine noun, the adjective must be the masculine listo.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not say el desayuno está lista. Because desayuno is masculine, you must use the masculine form listo.
Did you know?
- The word listo can also mean 'clever' or 'smart' in Spanish. Depending on the context, telling someone estás listo might mean they are ready to eat or that they are a very cunning person.
- While English uses 'breakfast' as a noun, the Spanish word desayuno is closely linked to the verb desayunar, which literally means 'to un-fast' or break a fast.
- While el desayuno está listo is standard, in many Spanish-speaking cultures breakfast is a multi-stage process involving a quick coffee first and a larger meal later.
Examples in context
- El desayuno está listo.Breakfast is ready.This sentence shows a standard way to say the phrase.Tatoeba #1306254 by marcelostockle, translation #277773 by CK
- Andá a despertar a Tom y decile que el desayuno está listo.Go wake up Tom and tell him that breakfast is ready.This sentence is useful for telling someone to wake a person up and relay that el desayuno está listo.Tatoeba #3689872 by hayastan, translation #3689832 by Hybrid
- ¡Rápido, que el desayuno está listo!Quick, breakfast is ready!
Example conversation
Lucía calls out to Javier from the kitchen.
- Lucía¡Javier, ven a la mesa!Javier, come to the table!
- Javier¿Ya está el desayuno listo?Is breakfast ready already?
- LucíaSí, el desayuno está listo.Yes, breakfast is ready.
- JavierVoy enseguida.I'm coming right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
