Inklingo

How to Say "called" in Spanish

English → Spanish

llamado

/ya-MA-do//ʎaˈma.ðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'llamado' when 'called' functions as an adjective to introduce a person's name or a specific designation.
A child introducing a unique, friendly, brightly colored creature by pointing at it, symbolizing the act of naming.

Examples

Hay un libro llamado 'El Quijote'.

There is a book called 'Don Quixote'.

Conozco a un chico llamado Miguel.

I know a boy named Miguel.

Hay una película nueva llamada "Aventura en la Selva".

There's a new movie called "Adventure in the Jungle".

El llamado "artista" presentó una obra que nadie entendió.

The so-called "artist" presented a work that nobody understood.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, llamado changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use llamado for masculine things and llamada for feminine things. For example: un perro llamado Fido (a male dog) vs. una gata llamada Luna (a female cat).

Forgetting to Change the Ending

Mistake: “Una mujer llamado Ana.”

Correction: Say `Una mujer llamada Ana.` The ending `-a` must match `mujer`, which is feminine.

llamara

/ya-MA-ra//ʝaˈmaɾa/

verbB1general
Use 'llamara' (imperfect subjunctive) when referring to a hypothetical or uncertain past action, often in conditional sentences expressing a wish or possibility.
A person standing on a hilltop, waving their hand and cupping their mouth as if shouting to someone far away.

Examples

Si él me llamara, le diría la verdad.

If he were to call me, I would tell him the truth.

Si él me llamara, yo iría de inmediato.

If he were to call me, I would go immediately.

Mi madre quería que la llamara ayer.

My mother wanted me to call her yesterday.

Buscaba a alguien que se llamara como yo.

I was looking for someone who was named (called) like me.

The 'If' Sentence Rule

When you start a sentence with 'Si' (If) to talk about something unlikely or imaginary, use 'llamara' for the first verb and the 'would' form (conditional) for the second verb.

Two-for-One Form

This exact word 'llamara' works for both 'I' (yo) and 'he/she/you formal' (él/ella/usted). The context of your sentence will help people know who you're talking about.

Don't use the regular past

Mistake: “Si él me llamó, yo iría.”

Correction: Si él me llamara, yo iría. After 'If' in hypothetical situations, you need this special 'uncertain' form, not the normal past tense.

Adjective vs. Verb Form

The most common mistake is using the adjective 'llamado' when the verb form 'llamara' (or another subjunctive form) is needed. Remember that 'llamado' usually follows a noun and describes it, while verb forms like 'llamara' express an action, often in hypothetical situations.

Related Translations

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