llamaron
/yah-MAH-rohn/
they called
When referring to summoning, "llamaron" means 'they called'.
llamaron(verb)
they called
?summoning or naming
,you all called
?formal plural address (Ustedes)
they summoned
?formally asking someone to come
📝 In Action
Ellos llamaron a la policía cuando vieron el accidente.
A1They called the police when they saw the accident.
Mis padres me llamaron 'Sofía' por mi abuela.
A2My parents named me 'Sofía' after my grandmother.
Ustedes llamaron a la puerta muy fuerte.
B1You all knocked on the door very loudly.
💡 Grammar Points
The Simple Past Tense
This verb form describes an action that started and finished completely in the past, often at a specific moment.
Who is 'They'?
'Llamaron' means 'they' (ellos/ellas) or 'you all' (ustedes) did the calling. You usually don't need to say 'ellos' unless you want to emphasize who did it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Past Tense Confusion
Mistake: "Usando 'llamaban' en lugar de 'llamaron' para una acción única."
Correction: Use 'llamaron' (preterite) for a single, completed action ('They called once'). Use 'llamaban' (imperfect) for habits or descriptions ('They used to call often').
⭐ Usage Tips
Calling vs. Naming
Remember 'llamar' means both 'to call someone over' and 'to name someone or something'.
Used with communication technology, "llamaron" translates to 'they phoned'.
📝 In Action
Esperamos toda la tarde, pero nunca llamaron.
A1We waited all afternoon, but they never called (on the phone).
¿A qué hora te llamaron tus clientes ayer?
A2What time did your clients call you yesterday?
💡 Grammar Points
Preposition 'a'
When calling a person, you must include the word 'a': 'Llamaron a Juan' (They called Juan). When calling a place, you use 'a' or 'al' (to the): 'Llamaron al hospital'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Clarity Tip
If you need to be very clear that the call was via phone, you can add 'por teléfono,' though usually the context makes it obvious.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llamaron
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'llamaron' to mean 'to name'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'llamaron' means 'they' or 'you all'?
In most of Latin America, 'ustedes' (you all) is standard, so it usually means 'you all called.' In Spain, 'ustedes' is formal, so unless you are speaking formally, it usually means 'they called.' Context is key!
Is 'llamaron' used for 'they called themselves'?
No. For 'they called themselves' or 'they were named,' you need the reflexive form, which is 'se llamaron.' 'Llamaron' needs a direct object (like 'a la policía').