llamamos
/yah-MAH-mos / lyah-MAH-mos/
we call
We call (llamamos) out across the distance to get someone's attention.
llamamos(Verb)
we call
?by phone or shouting
we are calling
?used when describing an ongoing action
📝 In Action
Llamamos a mi madre cada noche para ver cómo está.
A1We call my mother every night to see how she is.
¿A qué hora llamamos al restaurante para hacer la reserva?
A2What time should we call the restaurant to make the reservation?
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a' with People
When we call a person, we must always use the word 'a' right before the person's name or title: 'Llamamos a mi madre'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Present and Past
Mistake: "Using 'llamamos' when you mean 'we called' in a story about the past."
Correction: The verb form 'llamamos' is used for both 'we call' (Present) and 'we called' (Preterite/Simple Past). Context is key! If you are talking about yesterday, you are likely using the past tense, even though the word looks the same.
⭐ Usage Tips
Llamarse (To be named)
Remember the reflexive form 'nos llamamos' means 'we are named' (e.g., 'Nos llamamos Juan y María' - We are named Juan and Maria).
When we name (llamamos) something, we give it a specific designation.
llamamos(Verb)
we name
?to assign a title or designation
,we refer to (it) as
?when explaining a term
we designate
?formal naming
📝 In Action
A esta parte de la máquina, la llamamos el 'motor'.
B1We call this part of the machine the 'engine'.
En nuestra familia, a las galletas caseras las llamamos 'recuerdos de la abuela'.
B2In our family, we call homemade cookies 'Grandma's memories'.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Lo/La' for Definition
When defining something, Spanish often uses a small placeholder word like 'lo' or 'la' (referring to the object being named) right before 'llamamos': 'Lo llamamos [name]'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Naming
This meaning is often used figuratively, such as 'Llamamos progreso a algo que destruye el medio ambiente' (We call something that destroys the environment 'progress').
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llamamos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'llamamos' in the sense of 'to name or designate'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'llamamos' means 'we call' (present) or 'we called' (past)?
You have to look at the other words in the sentence. If you see time words like 'ayer' (yesterday), 'la semana pasada' (last week), or 'anoche' (last night), it means 'we called' (past). If you see 'hoy' (today), 'siempre' (always), or nothing specific, it usually means 'we call' (present).
If I want to say 'We are calling right now,' should I use 'llamamos'?
Yes, 'Llamamos ahora mismo' works perfectly and is very common. However, you can also use the continuous form, 'Estamos llamando,' which puts more emphasis on the action happening at this exact moment.