pauldavidmena
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"listo"
I've always understood "listo" to mean "ready" in English, but I didn't realize until today that the meaning changes depending upon whether it's used
with ser or estar.
estar listo = to be ready
ser listo = to be smart / clever
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del mar
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Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  | I've always understood "listo" to mean "ready" in English, but I didn't realize until today that the meaning changes depending upon whether it's used
with ser or estar.
estar listo = to be ready
ser listo = to be smart / clever
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on my washing machine listo means "done"
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AKgringo
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A local was gracious enough to explain this difference to me a few years ago. He was going to show me a good spot to snorkel, and I said "Yo soy
listo!".
He informed me that I was announcing that "soy" meant that I am always ready, that is the kind of guy I am! Estoy however, would be saying that (at
this moment) I am prepared!
I like being corrected, many too polite people would allow me to go on sounding like an idiot!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Howard
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To AKgringo's point about being an idiot, I have used listo with a waiter when he asked me if I am done with my meal and if I am, I say "listo."
What would the proper and polite way to say I am done with my meal?
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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paranewbi
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| Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena | I've always understood "listo" to mean "ready" in English, but I didn't realize until today that the meaning changes depending upon whether it's used
with ser or estar.
estar listo = to be ready
ser listo = to be smart / clever
|
Conjugating verbs is different in every language...what an evil plot!
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chippy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Howard | To AKgringo's point about being an idiot, I have used listo with a waiter when he asked me if I am done with my meal and if I am, I say "listo."
What would the proper and polite way to say I am done with my meal? |
"ya termine" has always worked for me. I guess you could use "he terminado de comer" to be more specific.
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Howard
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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The funny thing is "listo" has always worked for me also but is yours correct and mine wrong?
So is "ya termine" actually one of the correct ways to say it or are they just being polite and never corrected you?
If you say it's correct, that's good enough for me.
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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thebajarunner
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"Listo" around our house means "Let's get this show on the road!"
Teresa was raised in Jalisco and "listo/lista" are marching orders for her
When someone asks if I am finished eating I just smile and say "Basta"
Probably not very proper syntax, but clearly a message bringing things to a close.
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AKgringo
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Even Shakespeare had trouble with this one though "To be, or not to be?". I suspect he was not contemplating his existence, but whether he should use
Ser, Estar, or search a thesaurus!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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BajaBlanca
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soy feliz y estoy feliz
first is a permanent state of being
second is temporary, at this moment
To be or not to be, indeed!
Soy bien lista y estoy lista para lo que viene.
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Ken Cooke
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Caribbean coastal Spanish:
"Ya yo estoy listo.."
means
"I am handsome, well-dressed and ready to go out."
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