How to Say “Lunch Is Ready” in Spanish

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el almuerzo está listo
/el almweɾθo esta listo/from spelling rules
The phrase "lunch is ready" in Spanish is translated as el almuerzo está listo.
This phrase is used to notify others that the midday meal is prepared and available to eat. The word almuerzo specifically means lunch, while the word comida means meal.

Which one should you use?

While el almuerzo specifically refers to lunch, you may also hear la comida está lista to say "lunch is ready," as la comida is a very common way to refer to the midday meal in many Spanish-speaking countries.

How does it change in a sentence?

The phrase uses the verb estar because it describes a state or condition, the state of being ready, rather than an inherent quality.

Did you know?

  • The word almuerzo comes from the Latin verb admordere, which literally means 'to bite at' or 'to nibble'.
  • The word listo can actually mean 'clever' or 'smart' depending on how you use it. If you say a person is listo, you are often complimenting their wit rather than just saying they are prepared.

Examples in context

  • ¡El almuerzo está listo! Vengan a la mesa.
    Lunch is ready! Come to the table.
  • ¡Vengan a la mesa, el almuerzo está listo!
    Come to the table, lunch is ready!
  • Madre, ¿el almuerzo está listo ya?
    Mother, is lunch ready yet?

Example conversation

At home during the afternoon.

  1. Sofía

    Daniel, ¡el almuerzo está listo!
    Daniel, lunch is ready!
  2. Daniel

    Gracias, Sofía, ya voy.
    Thanks, Sofía, I'm coming.
  3. Sofía

    Ten cuidado con la sopa caliente.
    Be careful with the hot soup.
  4. Daniel

    Está bien, gracias por avisarme.
    Okay, thanks for letting me know.

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries almuerzo, el, listo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Meredith Georgia
Meredith GeorgiaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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