Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Call in Spanish
Llamar · verb · yah-MAR
"Llamar" is a regular -ar verb that translates to call in most everyday situations — phoning someone, calling out a name, or even knocking at a door (llamar a la puerta). The corresponding noun is "llamada" (a call). Spanish also uses "llamarse" as a reflexive verb meaning to be called or named.
yah-MAR
Te voy a llamar cuando llegue a casa.
I'm going to call you when I get home.
Call in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for call, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| llamar | call | yah-MAR | Default, widely understood |
| llamada | call | noun form — a phone call | |
| gritar | call | to call out / shout |
How Native Speakers Use Llamar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Making a phone call
¿Puedes llamar al doctor para confirmar la cita?
Can you call the doctor to confirm the appointment?
When calling a person, use the personal "a": llamar al doctor, llamar a María.
Missed call
Tengo tres llamadas perdidas de un número desconocido.
I have three missed calls from an unknown number.
"Llamada" is the noun form; "llamada perdida" is the set phrase for a missed call.
Calling someone by name
La maestra llamó a cada estudiante por su nombre.
The teacher called each student by name.
"Llamar" extends beyond phones — it also means to summon or address someone.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Llamar
Dropping the personal a
Incorrect: Voy a llamar María.
Correct: Voy a llamar a María.
When the direct object of "llamar" is a person, Spanish requires the personal "a" before the name or pronoun.
Confusing llamar with llamarse
Incorrect: Yo llamo Juan. (intending 'My name is Juan')
Correct: Yo me llamo Juan.
"Llamar" means to call someone else. "Llamarse" is the reflexive form meaning to be called/named. Without the reflexive pronoun, the sentence means 'I call Juan' instead of 'My name is Juan.'
Lock in Call Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Llamar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using llamar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Te voy a llamar cuando llegue a casa. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Call in Spanish
- How do you say 'Give me a call' in Spanish?
- You can say "Llámame" (informal) or "Llámeme" (formal). Both use the imperative form of llamar with the appropriate pronoun attached.
- What is the difference between llamar and telefonear?
- Both mean to phone someone, but "llamar" is far more common in everyday speech. "Telefonear" exists but sounds formal or old-fashioned in most regions.
- How do you say 'conference call' in Spanish?
- "Llamada en conferencia" or "conferencia telefónica." In business settings, the English loanword "call" is sometimes used informally: "Tenemos un call a las tres."