listo
/ˈlisto/
The Spanish phrase for "good to go" is listo.
listo is used to describe a person who is ready for a specific task. Note that depending on the context and your intonation, listo can also mean "smart" or "clever."
Meaning: ready for some specific task (person) (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective must match the gender and number of the person being described. Use listo for a male, lista for a female, listos for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and listas for a group consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlisto/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the meaning of being "ready" with being "smart." To express that someone is "good to go" (ready), you must use the verb estar. Using the verb ser instead will imply that the person is clever or smart.
Did you know?
- The Spanish listo is a linguistic relative of the Maltese word lest, which also means 'ready'.
- Depending on the region, listo is often used as a conversational marker to signal that a topic is closed or a deal is finalized, functioning more like 'Done!' than 'ready'.
- Calling someone muy listo using the verb ser can be a sarcastic way to call them a 'smart-aleck' or foolishly overconfident.
Examples in context
- ¿Estamos listos?Are we good to go?This sentence is useful for asking if a group is listo.Tatoeba #2903455 by cueyayotl, translation #2903385 by Hybrid
- Sí, estoy preparado para comenzar.Yes, I am prepared to start.
- ¡Listo para arrancar!Ready to go!
- Ya estoy listo para salir.I am ready to go now.
- Él ya está listo para la entrevista.He is ready for the interview already.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are preparing to leave for a trip.
- Javier¿Estás lista para irnos, Lucía?Are you ready to go, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, ya estoy lista.Yes, I am ready.
- JavierPerfecto, yo también estoy listo.Perfect, I am ready too.
- LucíaEntonces, ¡vámonos!Then, let's go!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry listo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries listo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
