Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| listo | /ˈlisto/ | |
| listoco | /lisˈtoko/ | colloquial |
| en fa | /en ˈfa/ |
The word is used to describe someone or something that is prepared for immediate action or use. To express the state of being prepared, you must use the verb estar (estar listo) rather than the verb ser. Related verbs that mean to make something prepared for action include alistar, aprontar and aprestar.
Which one should you use?
The form listoco is a colloquial diminutive used to playfully or slightly mockingly imply that someone is 'ready' or 'clever'. The phrase en fa is another way to express being ready.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a higher level of formality, you can use me encuentro preparado (for a male) or me encuentro preparada (for a female). If you want to formally imply that you are willing to perform a task, use estoy dispuesto for a male. In informal settings, you might hear the phrase estoy al 100% to mean 'I am 100% ready'. Listoco is a colloquial form.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the subject. Use lista for feminine subjects and listos for masculine plural subjects or mixed-gender groups.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlisto/
Did you know?
- The colloquial phrase en fa is a shortened version of en fas, which originally referred to the 'favorable' time to perform an action according to Roman augury.
- While listo means 'ready' when used with the verb estar, using it with the verb ser changes the meaning to 'smart' or 'clever'.
- The word listo may share a distant ancestor with the Old English word 'list', which meant 'cunning' or 'trickery'.
Examples in context
- Él no está listo.He's not ready.This sentence uses listo to show a person is not prepared.Tatoeba #1754755 by marcelostockle, translation #1754730 by Spamster
- No hay nada listo.There is nothing ready.This sentence uses listo to indicate nothing is prepared.Tatoeba #1151751 by Shishir, translation #1351546 by marcelostockle
- Tom no está listo.Tom isn't ready.Tatoeba #2570937 by hayastan, translation #2237005 by CK
- Hola, señor. Estoy lista para la reunión.Hello, sir. I am ready for the meeting.
- Estimados miembros de la junta directiva, me encuentro preparado para presentar el informe.Dear board members, I am ready to present the report.
- ¡Vamos al cine! Estoy lista para ver la película.Let's go to the movies! I am ready to watch the film.
- Amigo, estoy preparado para el partido de fútbol. ¿A qué hora nos juntamos?Friend, I am ready for the soccer match. What time should we meet?
- ¡Hoy es el día del gran examen! Estoy al 100% para demostrar todo lo que he estudiado.Today is the day of the big exam! I am 100% ready to demonstrate everything I have studied.
- 246 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are in the car waiting to depart.
- María¿Estás listo, Javier?Are you ready, Javier?
- JavierSí, ya estoy listo.Yes, I am ready now.
- MaríaPerfecto, entonces vámonos.Perfect, let's go then.
- Javier¡Vamos!Let's go!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ready” translations and entries listo, listoco, en fa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, listo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
