Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| listo | /ˈlisto/ |
| pillo | /ˈpiʝo/ |
| piola | /ˈpjola/ |
| avispado | /abisˈpado/ |
| conceptuoso | /konθebtwoso/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /konsebtwoso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| vivo | /ˈbibo/ |
| vivón | /bibon/ (from spelling rules) |
Spanish uses several terms to describe being mentally quick or sharp. avispado describes someone who is quick-witted or alert, a term literally derived from the word for wasp. vivo can also mean being sharp-witted.
Which one should you use?
The term listo can mean both 'clever' and 'ready' depending on the verb used with it. To mean 'clever', it must be used with the verb ser. The word vivo can mean either 'clever' (sharp-witted) or 'alive' depending on the context. pillo is used to refer to someone who is clever, bold or ingenious, whereas picarón is used to describe someone who is ingenious in a mischievous or playful sense.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pillo and picarón are informal terms. In certain Latin American countries, piola is used as slang to describe someone who is clever or even a situation that is good or cool.
Is it said differently in some regions?
piola is used colloquially in some Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, listo must agree in gender with the person being described, changing to lista for females. When using listo to mean 'clever', ensure you use it with the verb ser rather than estar.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlisto/
Did you know?
- The slang term piola comes from 'Lunfardo', a dialect of Buenos Aires, and is a 'vesre' word, meaning the syllables of the word limpio were reversed.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone vivo to mean 'clever' can be a subtle insult implying they are a cheat or an opportunist.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué perro tan listo!What a clever dog!This sentence shows how to use listo to describe a clever animal.Tatoeba #4484325 by cueyayotl, translation #2944146 by Hybrid
- No éramos muy listos.We weren't very clever.This sentence uses listo to describe a lack of cleverness in a group.Tatoeba #6591708 by arh, translation #9169213 by DJ_Saidez
- Se dice que es listo.It's said that he's clever.This sentence uses listo to describe a person's perceived cleverness.Tatoeba #7842068 by arh, translation #7894486 by helloroto
- Es una persona inteligente y astutaHe/she is an intelligent and cunning person
- Debes ser astuto/a para resolver este acertijoYou must be clever to solve this riddle
- Tienes una mente aguda y rápida para resolver problemasYou have a sharp and quick mind for solving problems
- Mi hermano es muy despierto y siempre encuentra soluciones ingeniosasMy brother is very quick-witted and always finds ingenious solutions
- ¡Eres un/a pillo/a! Siempre encuentras la manera de resolver las situaciones complicadasYou are a clever one! You always find a way to resolve complicated situations
- Mi amiga es muy viva y siempre tiene una respuesta ingeniosaMy friend is very quick-witted and always has an ingenious response
- El cómico es sagaz y siempre hace comentarios ocurrentesThe comedian is witty and always makes clever comments
- El niño es un picarón, siempre encuentra maneras ingeniosas de hacer travesurasThe boy is a little rascal, he always finds ingenious ways to play pranks
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about a student in their class.
- DanielMaría, ¿crees que el examen sea difícil?María, do you think the exam will be difficult?
- MaríaNo, creo que Daniel es muy listo.No, I think Daniel is very clever.
- DanielGracias, pero yo estudio mucho.Thanks, but I study a lot.
- MaríaEso también te hace listo.That also makes you clever.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clever” translations and entries listo, pillo, piola, avispado, conceptuoso, vivo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avispado, listo, pillo, piola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
