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"Alistarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to enlist", and "alistar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to put on a list". Learn more about the difference between "alistarse" and "alistar" below.
alistarse(
ah
-
lees
-
tahr
-
seh
)
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to enlist
Mi abuelo se alistó en el ejército cuando tenía 18.My grandfather enlisted in the army when he was 18.
b. to join up
Me alisté en la fuerza aérea porque quiero ser piloto.I joined up with the air force because I want to be a pilot.
c. to join
Me alisté en el ejército porque quiero defender mi patria.I joined the army because I want to defend my country.
a. to enroll
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Me alisté en una maestría de ingeniería industrial.I enrolled in a master's program in industrial engineering.
b. to enrol (Australia)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
¿Se alistaron muchos alumnos para la clase de historia?Did many students enrol in the history class?
c. to join
Me alisté en esta clase porque quiero aprender más sobre contaduría.I joined this class because I want to learn more about accounting.
3. (to put one's clothes on)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to get ready
Marisa se duchó y se alistó en diez minutos.Marisa showered and got ready in ten minutes.
alistar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to put on a list
Alisté los nombres de los voluntarios.I put the names of the volunteers on a list.
a. to enroll
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
¿Vas a alistar a tus hijos en clases de natación este semestre?Are you enrolling your children in swimming classes this semester?
b. to enrol
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Tenemos que alistar a todos los estudiantes una semana antes del inicio de clases.We have to enrol all of the students a week before the start of classes.
6. (to dress)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to get ready
Bañé y alisté al bebé.I showered the baby and got him ready.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
alistar(
ah
-
lees
-
tahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to put on a list
Alisté los nombres de los voluntarios.I put the names of the volunteers on a list.
a. to enroll
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
¿Vas a alistar a tus hijos en clases de natación este semestre?Are you enrolling your children in swimming classes this semester?
b. to enrol
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Tenemos que alistar a todos los estudiantes una semana antes del inicio de clases.We have to enrol all of the students a week before the start of classes.
3. (to dress)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to get ready
Bañé y alisté al bebé.I showered the baby and got him ready.
alistarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to enlist
Mi abuelo se alistó en el ejército cuando tenía 18.My grandfather enlisted in the army when he was 18.
b. to join up
Me alisté en la fuerza aérea porque quiero ser piloto.I joined up with the air force because I want to be a pilot.
c. to join
Me alisté en el ejército porque quiero defender mi patria.I joined the army because I want to defend my country.
a. to enroll
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Me alisté en una maestría de ingeniería industrial.I enrolled in a master's program in industrial engineering.
b. to enrol (Australia)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
¿Se alistaron muchos alumnos para la clase de historia?Did many students enrol in the history class?
c. to join
Me alisté en esta clase porque quiero aprender más sobre contaduría.I joined this class because I want to learn more about accounting.
6. (to put one's clothes on)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to get ready
Marisa se duchó y se alistó en diez minutos.Marisa showered and got ready in ten minutes.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.