Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| pronto | /ˈpron.to/ |
| preparato | /pre.paˈra.to/ |
The word pronto is used to describe someone or something that is prepared for immediate action or use. If you want to specify what you are ready for, you can use the expression sono pronto/a a followed by the activity.
Which one should you use?
While pronto means being ready for immediate action, the word preparato often implies being prepared in a different sense, such as having studied a subject or having undergone specific training.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Sicily, one might use sunu prontu/a instead of the standard Italian forms.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the subject it describes. Use pronto for a masculine singular subject and pronta for a feminine singular subject. For a group of men or a mixed-gender group, use pronti. If you are referring to a group consisting only of women, use pronte.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpron.to/. The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- If you answer the telephone in Italy, you do not say 'hello', you say pronto.
- The English word 'prompt' is a direct cognitive relative of pronto, as both derive from the Latin 'promptus'.
- An Italian might say pronti, via! to start a race, which is the equivalent of the English 'ready, set, go!'
Examples in context
- Lui non è pronto.He's not ready.This sentence is useful for expressing that a male subject is not ready using pronto.Tatoeba #1758316 by Guybrush88, translation #1754730 by Spamster
- Lui è pronto ora.He's ready now.This sentence is useful for expressing that a male subject is ready now using pronto.Tatoeba #2005159 by Guybrush88, translation #2005158 by CM
- Tom è pronto ora.Tom is ready now.This sentence is useful for expressing that Tom is ready now using pronto.Tatoeba #2618179 by Guybrush88, translation #2273385 by CK
- Pronto per la riunione?Ready for the meeting?
- Sono pronta per la presentazione.I am ready for the presentation.
- Pronto per andare al cinema!Ready to go to the cinema!
- Sono pronto per la festa!I am ready for the party!
- Sono pronta a partire per le vacanze.I am ready to leave for vacation.
- Sono pronto per l'esame di domani.I am ready for tomorrow's exam.
- Sei pronta per la partita di calcio?Are you ready for the soccer match?
- Pronto a partire per la vacanza più attesa!Ready to leave for the long-awaited vacation!
- Siamo pronti per metterci al lavoro.We are ready to get to work.
- 990 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are at home preparing to leave for a dinner party.
- AlessandroChiara, sei pronta?Chiara, are you ready?
- ChiaraSì, sono pronta.Yes, I am ready.
- AlessandroOttimo, il taxi è già pronto.Great, the taxi is already ready.
- ChiaraAndiamo subito!Let's go right away!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ready” translations and entries pronto, preparato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pronto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
