BajaNomad

"listo"

pauldavidmena - 1-7-2020 at 09:07 AM

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

:light:

del mar - 1-7-2020 at 11:23 AM

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

:light:


on my washing machine listo means "done"

AKgringo - 1-7-2020 at 11:35 AM

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!

Howard - 1-7-2020 at 11:39 AM

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?

paranewbi - 1-7-2020 at 12:08 PM

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

:light:


Conjugating verbs is different in every language...what an evil plot!

chippy - 1-7-2020 at 01:18 PM

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.

Howard - 1-7-2020 at 02:02 PM

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.

thebajarunner - 1-7-2020 at 04:41 PM

"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.

AKgringo - 1-7-2020 at 05:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by paranewbi  

Conjugating verbs is different in every language...what an evil plot!

Nah; a four-year-old can do it! :lol:


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!

BajaBlanca - 1-7-2020 at 05:37 PM

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.

Ken Cooke - 1-8-2020 at 06:51 PM

Caribbean coastal Spanish:
"Ya yo estoy listo.."
means
"I am handsome, well-dressed and ready to go out."