Inklingo

How to Say "summoned" in Spanish

English → Spanish

citado

see-TAH-dohsiˈtaðo

adjectiveB1formal
Use 'citado' when someone is officially called to appear in a legal setting, a formal meeting, or for a scheduled appointment.
A formal invitation letter with a gold seal lying on a wooden table.

Examples

El testigo fue citado a declarar en el juicio.

The witness was summoned to testify in the trial.

Estoy citado con el médico a las cinco de la tarde.

I have an appointment with the doctor at five in the afternoon.

El testigo fue citado para declarar mañana.

The witness was summoned to testify tomorrow.

Todos los empleados están citados en la sala de juntas.

All employees are called to meet in the boardroom.

Matching the Person

Since this word acts like an adjective here, it must match the gender and number of the people it describes: 'Él está citado' but 'Ellas están citadas'.

The 'Action' vs 'State' rule

Use 'ser citado' when talking about the act of being called (passive voice) and 'estar citado' when describing the state of having a scheduled appointment.

Using 'Have' instead of 'To Be'

Mistake: “Tengo citado con el dentista.”

Correction: Estoy citado con el dentista (or 'Tengo una cita'). In Spanish, you 'are' summoned/appointed, you don't 'have' it as an adjective.

llamadas

ya-MAH-dahsʝaˈmaðas

adjective / participleB1
Use 'llamadas' when referring to something that has been named or designated by a certain term, often in a descriptive or informal way, rather than a formal summons.
An illustration showing five identical pink flowers growing together in a field. A stylized hand is pointing directly at the group of flowers, indicating they are being named or referred to.

Examples

Las regiones llamadas 'zonas de interés turístico' reciben más visitantes.

The regions called 'tourist interest zones' receive more visitors.

Las áreas llamadas 'zonas rojas' son peligrosas.

The areas called 'red zones' are dangerous.

Las candidatas fueron llamadas a una segunda entrevista.

The candidates (f.) were summoned to a second interview.

Agreement Rule

When 'llamadas' is used as an adjective (or in a passive sentence), it must agree in gender and number with the person or thing it describes. Since it ends in -as, it describes feminine plural nouns (like 'las personas' or 'las casas').

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake: “Las personas fue llamado.”

Correction: Las personas fueron llamadas.

Formal Summons vs. General Naming

The most common mistake is using 'llamadas' when a formal summons is intended. Remember, 'citado' specifically refers to being summoned to appear, often for legal or official reasons, while 'llamadas' simply means 'called' or 'named'.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.