llamé
/yah-MEH/
I called
The image shows someone using a phone, illustrating the meaning 'I called'.
📝 In Action
Te llamé anoche, pero no contestaste.
A1I called you last night, but you didn't answer.
Llamé a la puerta varias veces antes de irme.
A2I knocked on the door several times before leaving.
Le llamé por su nombre, pero no me oyó.
A1I called him by his name, but he didn't hear me.
💡 Grammar Points
Action Completed in the Past
This 'llamé' form tells you that the action of calling or phoning finished at a specific point in the past. It's a snapshot of a completed event.
Verb Ending Clue
The accent mark over the 'e' (llamé) is the key signal for the 'yo' (I) form in the simple past tense (preterite) for all regular -AR verbs. Memorizing this ending is essential!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Wrong Past Tense
Mistake: "Usar 'llamaba' instead of 'llamé' when talking about a single past event."
Correction: 'Llamé a mi madre ayer' (I called my mom yesterday) is correct. 'Llamaba' is for descriptions or repeated actions in the past.
⭐ Usage Tips
Direct Contact
When calling someone, you usually use 'llamar a alguien' (I called to someone). The 'a' is necessary before a person or pet.
This image depicts someone designating an identity, visualizing the meaning 'I named'.
llamé(verb)
I named
?giving a name
,I called him/her
?giving a designation or title
I designated
?formally identified
📝 In Action
A mi primer perro lo llamé Max.
A2I named my first dog Max.
Llamé a ese día 'el peor de mi vida'.
B1I called that day 'the worst of my life'.
💡 Grammar Points
Structure for Naming
When naming something, the structure is usually: [Person] + llamé + [Direct Object] + [Name]. Example: 'Lo llamé Juan' (I named him Juan).
⭐ Usage Tips
Naming vs. Calling
While 'llamé' means 'I called' (by phone), when followed immediately by a name or title, it usually shifts meaning to 'I named' or 'I gave the name/title of'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llamé
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'llamé' to mean 'I named'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'llamé' the same as 'me llamé'?
No, they are different! 'Llamé' means 'I called' (someone else). 'Me llamé' is the reflexive form, meaning 'I called myself' (I gave myself a name, or I identify myself), though the more common reflexive use is for identification, as in 'Me llamo Juan' (My name is Juan).
How can I tell if 'llamé' means 'I called' or 'I shouted'?
Context is key. If you use a phone or dial a number (Llamé a mi amiga por teléfono), it means 'I called.' If you use your voice in a situation where someone is far away (Llamé a lo lejos), it means 'I shouted' or 'I yelled'.