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llame

YAH-meh / SHAH-meh (in certain regions)/ˈʎa.me/

call

Also: ring, may call
VerbA1regular ar
A person standing, holding an old-fashioned black telephone receiver to their ear, indicating they are making a call.
infinitivellamar
gerundllamando
past Participlellamado

📝 In Action

Si tiene dudas, llame a la oficina.

A1

If you have doubts, call the office (formal command).

Necesito que él me llame inmediatamente.

A2

I need him to call me immediately.

Espero que no me llame tan tarde.

A2

I hope that he doesn't call me so late.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • llamar por teléfono – to call on the phone
  • llamar la atención – to draw attention

name

Also: may be named
VerbA1regular ar
A joyful illustration of an adult holding a small baby up gently, representing the act of naming or identification.
infinitivellamar
gerundllamando
past Participlellamado

📝 In Action

No sé cómo se llame ese plato, pero es delicioso.

A2

I don't know what that dish is called (may be named), but it is delicious.

Espero que le llame Juan a su hijo.

B1

I hope he names his son Juan.

Piense en un nombre que llame la atención.

B1

Think of a name that draws attention.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • llamar la atención – to catch attention
  • llamar por su nombre – to call by name

knock

Also: ring
VerbA2regular ar
A close-up view of a human hand rapping knuckles against a simple brown wooden door, illustrating the action of knocking.
infinitivellamar
gerundllamando
past Participlellamado

📝 In Action

Llame antes de entrar.

A2

Knock before entering (formal command).

Dudo que alguien llame a la puerta a esta hora.

B2

I doubt anyone would knock on the door at this hour.

Es crucial que llame con calma y espere.

B1

It is crucial that you knock calmly and wait.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tocar (to touch/ring/play)

Common Collocations

  • llamar a la puerta – to knock on the door

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedllama
yollamo
túllamas
ellos/ellas/ustedesllaman
nosotrosllamamos
vosotrosllamáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedllamaba
yollamaba
túllamabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesllamaban
nosotrosllamábamos
vosotrosllamabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedllamó
yollamé
túllamaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesllamaron
nosotrosllamamos
vosotrosllamasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedllame
yollame
túllames
ellos/ellas/ustedesllamen
nosotrosllamemos
vosotrosllaméis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedllamara
yollamara
túllamaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesllamaran
nosotrosllamáramos
vosotrosllamarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "llame" in Spanish:

call→knock→may call→name→ring→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: llame

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'llame' as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
llamar(to call, to name) — Verb
la llamada(the call, the phone call) — Noun
el llamamiento(the appeal, the summoning) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
camineexclame
📚 Etymology▼

Llame comes from the Latin verb *clamare*, meaning 'to cry out' or 'to shout.' Over centuries, the initial 'c' softened and eventually changed to the 'll' sound, giving us the modern word for calling or naming.

First recorded: Before the 10th century (as *clamare* derivatives)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: chiamarePortuguese: chamar

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'llame' is a command or a subjunctive form?

If 'llame' starts the sentence and is directed at a formal listener (Usted), it's a command (e.g., 'Llame mañana'). If it appears after a verb of wish or doubt and follows 'que' (e.g., 'Dudo que llame'), it's the subjunctive expressing uncertainty.

Is 'llame' always formal?

No. When used for the 'yo' (I) or 'él/ella' (he/she) subjects in the present subjunctive, it is not formal, but rather expresses desire or uncertainty about those subjects: 'Yo quiero que él llame' (I want him to call).