Differences between alistarse en and inscribirse en

Question

Quiero alistarme en la Marina.

Quiero inscribirme en la Marina.

Alistar - to enlist.

Inscribir - to enroll.

Can they both be used interchangeable? I usually hear inscribir for school etc... can alistar be used there too?

Gracias.

Answer 1

I kind of get the feeling that alistar is used the same way we use 'enlist' more for the military etc but that might just be my take. Although I think it can be used to mean recruit as well?

I would say inscribir or matricular to enroll in something such as school.

You also use matricular for registering your car. - lorenzo9, Aug 16, 2011

Answer 2

Yes. And I agree completely with Kiwi-Girl.

But, at least in Chile, we use "alistar" = ready up/get something ready and "enlistar" = recruit

Answer 3

We are not talking about a word that means both to enlist and to get ready; they are homonyms:

"Alistarse en algo" comes from "lista" (list), and it is pretty much the same as "inscribirse", except for it is mainly used for the army (and the latter can be used for more things).

"Alistarse" comes from "listo" (= ready).

Answer 4

Chileno is right in that alistarse seems to be a common way to say "getting ready". I have heard "Me estoy alistando para salir", which then makes me wonder if that usage is more common than the verb "preparar"?

Experts?

Answer 5

Just as a usage tip, I've been enrolling in classes here in Chile and the preferred term for that particular process is inscribirse. I tend to hear alistarse for joining the military.

How weird, So now they use "enlistarse"???! - chileno, Aug 16, 2011

No, I meant that for enrolling in classes everyone is using 'inscribirse'. I haven't heard enlistarse at all here. - MacFadden, Aug 18, 2011

Answer 6

I have only ever heard alistar in terms of "preparing for" or getting ready, for to enroll I would use inscribir (in school etc...)

That's how I've heard it too. Seems to be a lot of disagreement here. Interesting. - MLucie, Aug 16, 2011

Answer 7

Alistarse is only used when you talk about the army or navy.

Quiero alistarme en la Marina. IS RIGHT

For the rest, use inscribirme

Quiero inscribirme en ... la universidad, en la maratón, en los juegos de verano, en la escuela...