llamando
/yah-MAHN-doh/
calling
When llamando means 'calling' someone by telephone.
llamando(Verb)
calling
?by telephone
,shouting
?a name or command
dialing
?on a phone
,summoning
?a person
📝 In Action
¿Quién está llamando a estas horas?
A1Who is calling at this hour?
Están llamando a los niños para la cena.
A2They are calling the children for dinner.
Aún no he terminado; sigo llamando a los clientes.
B1I haven't finished yet; I'm still calling the clients.
💡 Grammar Points
Continuous Action
The word 'llamando' is a special verb form (the gerund) used with the verb 'estar' (to be) to show an action happening right now: 'Estoy llamando' means 'I am calling'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "Soy llamando."
Correction: Estoy llamando. Remember that the continuous action (the 'ing' form) always uses the temporary verb 'estar'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Where to Put Pronouns
You can attach direct object pronouns to the end of 'llamando' (e.g., 'Están llamándome' - They are calling me) or place them before 'estar' (e.g., 'Me están llamando'). Both are correct!
When llamando means 'knocking' at a door.
📝 In Action
Oigo ruido, alguien está llamando a la puerta principal.
B1I hear noise, someone is knocking at the main door.
La ambulancia está llamando la atención con su sirena.
B2The ambulance is drawing attention with its siren (by calling/sounding the alarm).
💡 Grammar Points
Knocking vs. Phoning
When 'llamar' means 'knocking,' it almost always needs the little word 'a' (like 'at' in English) before the thing being knocked on: 'llamando a la puerta'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Drawing Attention
In more advanced Spanish, 'llamando la atención' literally means 'calling the attention,' and is the standard way to say 'drawing attention to something'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llamando
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'llamando' to describe an ongoing action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'llamando' ever used without 'estar'?
Yes, but rarely. It can act as an adjective meaning 'calling' or 'appealing' (e.g., 'una fuerza llamando' - an appealing force), but 99% of the time, learners should use it with 'estar' to form continuous tenses.
How do I say 'He is calling himself'?
Since 'llamar' can be reflective (to name oneself), you would use 'se está llamando' or 'está llamándose'. For example, 'Se está llamando a sí mismo un experto' (He is calling himself an expert).