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"Estar listo" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be ready", and "alistarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to enlist". Learn more about the difference between "estar listo" and "alistarse" below.
estar listo(
ehs
-
tahr
lees
-
toh
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to be finished
No hay problema, el informe estará listo para las 12 am.No problem. The report will be finished by 12 am.
3. (colloquial) (to make a big mistake)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to have another thing coming (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Si te crees que te voy a ordenar yo el cuarto, estás listo.If you think I'm going to tidy up your bedroom, you have another thing coming.
4. (colloquial) (to be in trouble)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to be done for (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Si todos los días va a hacer este calor, estamos listos.If it's going to be this hot everyday, we're done for.
alistarse(
ah
-
lees
-
tahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
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.
2. (to sign up)
a. to enroll (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Me alisté en una maestría de ingeniería industrial.I enrolled in a master's program in industrial engineering.
b. to enrol (Australia) (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the 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) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
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.).
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 (United States)
Regionalism used in the 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 (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the 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) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
