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"Llama" is a form of "llamar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to call". "Marca" is a form of "marcar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to mark". Learn more about the difference between "llama" and "marca" below.
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?
marcar(
mahr
-
kahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to mark
Marca la respuesta que consideres correcta.Mark the response that you consider to be correct.
2. (to show)
b. to mark
El letrero marca dónde se puede estacionar en la calle.The sign marks where you can park on the street.
4. (colloquial) (telecommunications) (Colombia) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Colombia
Regionalism used in Mexico
5. (sports)
a. to score (points, goals)
Mi jugador favorito marcó tres goles ayer.My favorite player scored three goals yesterday.
b. to cover (another player)
Tengo que marcar al jugador más rápido de su equipo.I have to cover the fastest player on their team.
marcarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to show
Este vestido es tan apretado que se me marca la ropa interior.This dress is so tight my underwear shows.
b. to stand out
Cuando levanta pesas se le marcan rápidamente los músculos.When she lifts weights, her muscles quickly stand out.
