Listo

Listo is a Spanish adjective and, in some usages, an interjection. The primary meanings are “ready/prepared” and “clever/smart.” As an adjective it agrees in gender and number: listo (masculine singular), lista (feminine singular), listos (masculine plural), listas (feminine plural). The noun la lista, meaning “a list,” is a separate word that shares the same root.

In phrases, estar listo para algo means to be prepared for it, while ser listo para algo is less common and the distinction is usually expressed with estar for readiness and ser for intelligence. Regional nuance matters: in Spain, listo often conveys cleverness or quick-wittedness; in many Latin American varieties, ser listo emphasizes practical cleverness, and the lines between senses can blur.

As an interjection, ¡Listo! can signal completion or agreement, roughly equivalent to “Okay, done” or “All set.” It is frequently used to indicate that a task is finished or that one is ready to proceed. Examples include: Estoy listo para salir (I’m ready to go); Ella es muy lista (She is very clever); ¡Listo! (Okay!/Done!).

Listo also appears in common phrases tied to state or action, such as estar listo para el examen (to be ready for the exam) or el plan está listo (the plan is ready). The term is widely taught as part of everyday Spanish, with its meaning shaped by context, region, and the contrast between readiness and cleverness.