Spanish word

alistar

Pronunciation

IPA/alisˈtaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbprepare

Example

Necesito alistar mis documentos antes del viaje.

I need to prepare my documents before the trip.

Illustration for alistar (prepare)

More examples

Voy a alistar la maleta esta noche.

I'm going to pack the suitcase tonight.

Core concept

Hands arranging documents.

Common phrases

  • alistar los documentos

    prepare the documents

  • alistar la maleta

    pack the suitcase

  • alistar el equipaje

    pack the luggage

Similar words

preparar: Gets actions, plans, or items ready ahead of time for an upcoming activity.
organizar: Arranges items or information into an orderly sequence to make them easy to handle.
reunir: Gathers necessary items or people together in one place for use.

Definition in Spanish

Hacer que algo esté listo u organizado para su uso; en contextos de reclutamiento o de grupo, anotar o incorporar a una persona en la lista correspondiente.

Word origin

Formed from a- plus lista 'list', alistar literally means to place on a list and is used to mean prepare or add people to a roster.

Usage tips

  • When used reflexively as alistarse it usually means to enlist oneself, so alistar as a transitive verb more often refers to preparing objects or listing people rather than signing oneself up.

Other meanings

  • enlistverb
  • assembleverb

Opposites

  • descuidarneglectverb
  • desorganizardisorganizeverb

Related words

  • alistamientopreparationnoun
  • alistadopreparedadjective

Word lists with this word