How to Say "to call" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to call” is “llamar” — use this for making a phone call or for referring to someone or something by a specific name or nickname.
llamar
ya-marʝaˈmaɾ
Examples
Te llamo en cinco minutos.
I'll call you in five minutes.
Mi mamá me llama todos los domingos.
My mom calls me every Sunday.
¿Puedes llamar a la pizzería para pedir la cena?
Can you call the pizzeria to order dinner?
Decidieron llamar al perro 'Fido'.
They decided to name the dog 'Fido'.
Calling a Person
When you say who you are calling, you usually need to add the little word 'a' before their name or title. For example, 'Llamo a mi hermana' (I'm calling my sister).
Forgetting 'a'
Mistake: “Voy a llamar mi amigo.”
Correction: Voy a llamar a mi amigo. When the person you're calling is the direct 'receiver' of the action, Spanish uses what's called the 'personal a'.
'llamar' vs. 'llamarse'
Mistake: “Él llama Juan.”
Correction: Él se llama Juan. Use 'llamar' when you are actively calling someone a name ('Le llaman Juan'). Use 'llamarse' to say what someone's name IS ('His name is Juan').
telefonear
te-leh-fo-neh-AHRtelefonesˈaɾ
Examples
Yo telefoneo a mi madre todos los domingos.
I phone my mother every Sunday.
¿Puedes telefonear al hotel para confirmar nuestra reserva?
Can you phone the hotel to confirm our reservation?
Le telefoneé varias veces pero no me contestó.
I phoned him several times but he didn't answer me.
The 'Personal A'
When you are calling a specific person, you must use the word 'a' before their name or the noun. For example: 'Telefoneo a Carmen'.
Double 'E' in Spelling
Because the base of the word ends in 'e', when you add endings that start with 'e' (like in the past tense 'yo' form), you get a double 'e': 'telefoneé'.
Missing the 'a'
Mistake: “Telefoneo mi padre.”
Correction: Telefoneo a mi padre. (In Spanish, we always add 'a' when the action is done to a specific person.)
convocar
kon-bo-karkomboˈkaɾ
Examples
El director va a convocar una reunión de emergencia esta tarde.
The director is going to call an emergency meeting this afternoon.
Los trabajadores decidieron convocar una huelga para el lunes.
The workers decided to organize a strike for Monday.
El presidente tiene el poder de convocar elecciones anticipadas.
The president has the power to call early elections.
The 'c' to 'qu' switch
When saying 'I called' (yo convoqué), the 'c' changes to 'qu' to keep the hard 'k' sound. Without this change, it would sound like 's'.
Using the 'Personal A'
When you call specific people (like 'convocar a los vecinos'), you must use the word 'a' before the people being called.
Using 'llamar' for formal events
Mistake: “Llamar una huelga.”
Correction: Convocar una huelga. While 'llamar' means to call, 'convocar' is the specific word for officially calling for a protest or meeting.
calificar
kah-lee-fee-kahrkalifiˈkaɾ
Examples
Muchos califican su decisión como un error.
Many describe his decision as a mistake.
No puedes calificar a todo el mundo de mentiroso.
You cannot call everyone a liar.
La prensa calificó el evento de histórico.
The press described the event as historic.
Using 'de' and 'como'
When you want to say you describe something AS something, you can use 'de' or 'como'. For example: 'Lo calificó de injusto' or 'Lo calificó como injusto' (He described it as unfair).
Omission of the Preposition
Mistake: “Él calificó la situación difícil.”
Correction: Él calificó la situación DE difícil. You usually need 'de' or 'como' before the description.
denominar
deh-noh-mee-nahrdenomiˈnaɾ
Examples
Los científicos decidieron denominar a la nueva especie en honor al investigador.
The scientists decided to name the new species after the researcher.
Este proceso se suele denominar 'oxidación'.
This process is usually called 'oxidation'.
El comité puede denominar a un representante para la reunión.
The committee can designate a representative for the meeting.
Using 'a' with People
When you are naming a specific person, you must use the 'personal a' before their name or title: 'Denominaron a Juan como líder'.
Formal Contexts
While 'llamar' is used for names in casual settings, use 'denominar' when discussing scientific terms, official titles, or formal categories.
Casual Introductions
Mistake: “Me denomino Carlos.”
Correction: Me llamo Carlos. 'Denominar' is too formal for introducing yourself to a friend.
tachar
ta-chartaˈtʃaɾ
Examples
Lo tacharon de mentiroso sin tener pruebas.
They labeled him a liar without having proof.
No puedes tachar a todo el grupo de irresponsable.
You can't brand the whole group as irresponsible.
Muchos lo tachan de loco por sus ideas tan radicales.
Many call him crazy because of his radical ideas.
The 'de' requirement
When using this word to label someone, you must follow the pattern: [Person] + tachar + de + [Adjective]. Example: 'Me tacharon de loco' (They labeled me as crazy).
Missing the 'de'
Mistake: “Saying 'Me tacharon loco'.”
Correction: Always include 'de' before the label: 'Me tacharon DE loco'.
Phone Calls vs. Naming
Related Translations
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