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"Citar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to make an appointment", and "llamar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to call". Learn more about the difference between "citar" and "llamar" below.
citar(
see
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to convene)
a. to make an appointment
La maestra me citó en el colegio para hablar sobre mi hijo.The teacher made an appointment with me to talk about my son.
2. (to refer)
3. (to name)
b. to mention
El autor citó a su profesor en el prólogo del libro.The author mentioned his professor in the introduction to his book.
4. (legal)
a. to provoke
El torero citó al toro con la muleta.The bullfighter provoked the bull with the red cape.
citarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to arrange to meet
Me cité con Jessica para tomar un café.I arranged to meet Jessica to have some coffee.
llamar(
yah
-
mahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to call
Llama a tu hermano para que te ayude a poner la mesa.Call your brother to help you set the table.
a. to call
Tengo otra persona en la línea. Tendré que llamarte en unos minutos.I have someone else on the line. I'll have to call you in a few minutes.
3. (to attract)
a. to appeal to
La idea de trabajar los fines de semana no me llama mucho.The idea of working on the weekends doesn't appeal to me very much.
a. to call
Mi nombre es Francisco, pero mis amigos me llaman "Paquito".My name is Francisco, but my friends call me "Paquito."
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (to summon)
llamarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be called
Se llama Emilia en honor a su abuela.She's called Emilia in honor of her grandmother.
c. to call oneself
Decidió llamarse Rex como nombre artístico.He decided to call himself Rex as his stage name.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Cómo se llaman tus hermanos?What are your brothers' names?
¿Cómo te llamas, amigo?What's your name, buddy?
