llamado
/ya-MA-do/
call
Un llamado (a knock) on the door.
llamado(Noun)
call
?a summons or communication
knock
?on a door
,summons
?a formal request to appear
📝 In Action
Recibí un llamado de mi hermana.
A2I received a call from my sister.
Escuchamos un llamado a la puerta en medio de la noche.
B1We heard a knock on the door in the middle of the night.
El director hizo un llamado a todos los empleados para una reunión urgente.
B1The director made a call to all employees for an urgent meeting.
❌ Common Pitfalls
`llamado` vs. `llamada` for 'phone call'
Mistake: "Using `un llamado` for a phone call in Spain."
Correction: In Spain, `una llamada` is almost always used for a phone call. In Latin America, `un llamado` and `una llamada` are often used interchangeably, though `llamada` is still very common.
⭐ Usage Tips
A General 'Call'
Think of un llamado as a general 'call' for attention. It can be a phone call, a knock, or a summons. The feminine word, una llamada, is more specific to phone calls.
A creature llamado (called/named) a monster.
llamado(Adjective)
named
?introducing a name
,called
?introducing a name
so-called
?expressing skepticism
📝 In Action
Conozco a un chico llamado Miguel.
A2I know a boy named Miguel.
Hay una película nueva llamada "Aventura en la Selva".
A2There's a new movie called "Adventure in the Jungle".
El llamado "artista" presentó una obra que nadie entendió.
B2The so-called "artist" presented a work that nobody understood.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, llamado changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use llamado for masculine things and llamada for feminine things. For example: un perro llamado Fido (a male dog) vs. una gata llamada Luna (a female cat).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting to Change the Ending
Mistake: "Una mujer llamado Ana."
Correction: Say `Una mujer llamada Ana.` The ending `-a` must match `mujer`, which is feminine.
⭐ Usage Tips
From 'Named' to 'So-Called'
The meaning can shift to 'so-called' to show you're skeptical. This is often done with your tone of voice or by putting the name in quotes. For example, el llamado 'experto' suggests you don't really think he's an expert.
Feeling el llamado (the calling/vocation) toward a purpose.
📝 In Action
Desde joven sintió el llamado de la medicina.
B2From a young age, he felt the calling of medicine.
La organización hizo un llamado a la solidaridad internacional.
C1The organization made an appeal for international solidarity.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Deeper 'Call'
This meaning is more profound than a simple phone call. It refers to a strong inner pull towards a certain profession, lifestyle, or cause, like a 'calling' or a 'mission'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llamado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses `llamado` to mean 'named' or 'called'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between `llamado` and `llamada`?
Great question! `Llamada` is a feminine noun and is the most common word for a 'phone call' everywhere, especially in Spain. `Llamado` is a masculine noun that can mean a general 'call', a 'summons', or a 'knock'. In Latin America, people often use `llamado` for a phone call, too. As an adjective meaning 'named', it changes to match what you're describing: `un hombre llamado` (masculine) and `una mujer llamada` (feminine).