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Both "llamó" and "llamaba" are forms of "llamar", which is often translated as "to call". Learn more about "llamar" below.
llamar(
yah
-
mahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
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.
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.).
intransitive verb
a. to call
¿Cuándo llamó el plomero?When did the plumber call?
b. to phone
Tu novia llamó ayer.Your girlfriend phoned yesterday.
a. to knock
Llamó a la puerta de la cancela.He knocked on the gate.
b. to ring
¿Quién llama a la puerta a esta hora?Who's ringing our bell at this time?
llamarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to be called
Se llama Emilia en honor a su abuela.She's called Emilia in honor of her grandmother.
b. to be named
Su hijo se llama Alberto por el padre.Her son is named Alberto after his father.
c. to call oneself
Decidió llamarse Rex como nombre artístico.He decided to call himself Rex as his stage name.
d.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¿Cómo se llaman tus hermanos?What are your brothers' names?
¿Cómo te llamas, amigo?What's your name, buddy?
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