Inklingo

How to Say "call" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “call” is “llame” — use 'llame' when giving a formal command or suggestion to make a phone call, often directed at someone you don't know well or in a professional setting.

English → Spanish

llame

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

verbA1formal
Use 'llame' when giving a formal command or suggestion to make a phone call, often directed at someone you don't know well or in a professional setting.
A person standing, holding an old-fashioned black telephone receiver to their ear, indicating they are making a call.

Examples

Si necesita ayuda, llame a nuestro número de atención al cliente.

If you need help, call our customer service number.

Si tiene dudas, llame a la oficina.

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

Necesito que él me llame inmediatamente.

I need him to call me immediately.

Espero que no me llame tan tarde.

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

Formal Commands (Usted)

When you use 'llame' as a formal command (addressing someone respectfully as 'usted'), it tells them what to do: 'Llame mañana' (Call tomorrow).

Expressing Wishes (Subjunctive)

You must use 'llame' when expressing wishes, desires, or necessities after certain phrases like 'Quiero que...' or 'Es importante que...': 'Quiero que me llame' (I want him/her/you to call me).

Mixing Command Levels

Mistake: “Le digo a mi amigo: 'Llame pronto.'”

Correction: You should use the informal command (tú) for friends: 'Llama pronto.' Use 'Llame' only for formal interactions.

llamado

ya-MA-doʎaˈma.ðo

nounA2
Use 'llamado' to refer to a general call, summons, or communication, like receiving a call from someone or an alert.
A close-up illustration of a human hand firmly knocking on a brown wooden door, representing a summons or communication.

Examples

Hubo un llamado urgente desde la central de bomberos.

There was an urgent call from the fire station.

Recibí un llamado de mi hermana.

I received a call from my sister.

Escuchamos un llamado a la puerta en medio de la noche.

We heard a knock on the door in the middle of the night.

El director hizo un llamado a todos los empleados para una reunión urgente.

The director made a call to all employees for an urgent meeting.

`llamado` vs. `llamada` for 'phone call'

Mistake: “Using `un llamado` for a phone call in Spain.”

Correction: In Spain, `una llamada` is almost always used for a phone call. In Latin America, `un llamado` and `una llamada` are often used interchangeably, though `llamada` is still very common.

marcar

mar-KARmaɾˈkaɾ

verbA1
Use 'marcar' when you specifically mean the action of dialing a number on a phone.
A cartoon hand presses a button on a modern smartphone screen.

Examples

Para llamar al extranjero, primero marca 00.

To call abroad, first dial 00.

Por favor, marca el código de área antes del número.

Please dial the area code before the number.

¿Ya marcaste el teléfono de la oficina?

Did you already dial the office phone number?

The 'Qu' Spelling Change

In the preterite 'yo' form (yo marqué) and the subjunctive, the 'c' changes to 'qu' before 'e' to keep the hard 'k' sound. This is common for -car verbs.

Confusing 'Marcar' and 'Llamar'

Mistake: “Using 'marcar' when you mean 'to call someone's name' (Llamar a María).”

Correction: 'Marcar' is for the physical action of dialing. Use 'llamar' for the complete communication.

conferencia

kon-feh-REN-syahkoɱ.feˈɾen.sja

nounB1formal
Use 'conferencia' for a planned, often group, telephone or video call, like a business meeting.
Three people seated around an oval table participating in a formal meeting.

Examples

Mañana tenemos una conferencia virtual con los socios.

Tomorrow we have a virtual conference call with the partners.

Tenemos una conferencia telefónica con el equipo de Madrid a las tres.

We have a conference call with the Madrid team at three o'clock.

Los presidentes se reunieron para una conferencia de paz de emergencia.

The presidents met for an emergency peace conference.

Combining Words

When referring to remote meetings, 'conferencia' is often combined with other words like 'telefónica' (telephone) or 'web' (web/video) to specify the type of meeting.

llamamiento

ya-ma-MYEN-tohʎamaˈmjento

nounB2formal
Use 'llamamiento' for an official or public appeal, invitation, or summons, often for a specific action or response.
A person standing on a small wooden platform, holding their hands around their mouth to shout a message to a gathered group of people in a town square.

Examples

El gobierno hizo un llamamiento a la solidaridad ciudadana.

The government made an appeal for citizen solidarity.

La organización hizo un llamamiento a la calma.

The organization made an appeal for calm.

El presidente lanzó un llamamiento para ayudar a los refugiados.

The president launched a call to help the refugees.

Muchos jóvenes respondieron al llamamiento a filas.

Many young people responded to the call to arms.

Nouns ending in -miento

In Spanish, adding '-miento' to a verb is a common way to turn an action into a noun. For example, 'llamar' (to call) becomes 'llamamiento' (the act of calling or an appeal).

Always Masculine

Nouns that end in '-miento' are always masculine. You should always use 'el' or 'un' with this word.

Using 'llamada' instead

Mistake: “Hice una llamada a la paz.”

Correction: Hice un llamamiento a la paz. Use 'llamada' for a phone call or a short shout, and 'llamamiento' for a formal, public appeal.

General Call vs. Dialing

Learners often confuse 'llamado' (a general call or summons) with 'marcar' (the act of dialing). Remember that 'llamado' refers to the communication itself, while 'marcar' is the physical action of inputting the numbers.

Related Translations

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