Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| listo | /ˈlisto/ |
| intelectual | /inteleɡˈtwal/ |
| piola | /ˈpjola/ |
The primary way to describe someone exhibiting intellectual knowledge, such as that found in books, is by using listo, intelectual or piola.
Which one should you use?
While listo is a common way to say smart, it can also mean 'ready' depending on the verb used. When used with the verb *ser*, it means smart, but when used with the verb *estar*, it means 'ready'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express being smart depending on the setting. Avispado/a and despierto/a are informal terms that highlight sharpness, alertness or being attentive. In some regions, the colloquial pillo/a is used, while piola is a slang term used in certain Latin American areas to mean someone is smart or 'cool'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Southern Cone region (Argentina, Chile and Uruguay), piola is a common term for someone who is smart or easy-going. In Spain and some Latin American countries, astuto/a is used to mean clever or crafty. In parts of Spain, the colloquial term pillo/a is also used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective listo must agree in gender with the person being described. Use lista when describing a female.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlisto/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid confusing listo with inteligente. While listo implies quick-wittedness, inteligente is a more formal synonym specifically used for intellectual capacity.
Did you know?
- The term avispado is derived from avispa, the Spanish word for 'wasp', comparing a smart person to the quickness and sharpness of the insect.
- The slang term piola in the Southern Cone is derived from 'Lunfardo' and is a 'vesre' version of limpio, meaning the syllables of the word were reversed.
- In some contexts, calling someone pillo can be a compliment about their street-smarts, but it can also imply they are a bit of a prankster or a thief.
Examples in context
- Él es muy listo.He is very smart.This sentence is useful for describing a male as being very smart using listo.Tatoeba #3538486 by wallebot, translation #3538478 by Objectivesea
- No soy muy listo.I'm not very smart.This sentence is useful for describing oneself as not being very smart using listo.Tatoeba #7696025 by Shishir, translation #5851773 by CK
- El perro es listo.The dog is smart.This sentence is useful for describing an animal as being smart using listo.Tatoeba #1938754 by teskmon, translation #558999 by djinni74
- María es una estudiante muy inteligente.María is a very smart student.
- Nuestro director es una persona muy capaz.Our director is a very smart person.
- El detective fue muy perspicaz en la resolución del caso.The detective was very smart in solving the case.
- Mi hermano es muy listo para los juegos de mesa.My brother is very smart when it comes to board games.
- Juan es un chico muy avispado en la ciudad.Juan is a very smart boy in the city.
- Mi amiga está siempre muy despierta, es muy inteligente.My friend is always alert, she is very smart.
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a classmate at a library.
- Elena¿Es listo ese estudiante nuevo?Is that new student smart?
- DanielSí, es muy listo.Yes, he is very smart.
- ElenaMe alegra que sea listo.I am glad he is smart.
- DanielÉl siempre estudia mucho.He always studies a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smart” translations and entries listo, intelectual, piola, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries intelectual, listo, piola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
