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"Llamar por teléfono" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to phone", and "lavar los platos" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to wash the dishes". Learn more about the difference between "llamar por teléfono" and "lavar los platos" below.
llamar por teléfono(
yah
-
mahr
pohr
teh
-
leh
-
foh
-
noh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to phone
La enfermera dijo que me llamarían por teléfono para darme los resultados de la prueba.The nurse said they'd phone me to let me know the test results.
b. to call
Mi madre vive sola, así que yo la llamo por teléfono todos los días.My mother lives on her own, so I call her everyday.
c. to ring (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Ahora voy con mucha prisa, pero luego te llamo por teléfono y hablamos tranquilamente.I'm in a hurry now, but I'll ring you later and we can talk at our leisure.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to phone
Para pedir información no hace falta que vayamos hasta allí, podemos llamar por teléfono.We don't need to go there to make inquiries, we can phone.
b. to call
¿Ha llamado alguien por teléfono? - Sí, un cliente para hacer un pedido.Has anyone called? - Yes, a client to place an order.
c. to ring (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Eva llamó por teléfono para decir que le había surgido algo y no podía comer con nosotras.Eva rang to say that something had come up and she couldn't meet us for lunch.
lavar los platos(
lah
-
bahr
lohs
plah
-
tohs
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to wash the dishes
Chicos, pueden jugar a los videojuegos cuando hayan lavado los platos.Kids, you can play your video games after you have washed the dishes.
b. to do the dishes
Si mi novia cocina, entonces yo lavo los platos.If my girlfriend cooks, then I do the dishes.
c. to do the washing-up (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿A quién le toca hoy lavar los platos?Whose turn is it to do the washing-up today?
d. to wash up (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Te compras un lavavajillas y te olvidas de tener que lavar los platos.Buy yourself a dishwasher and you can forget all about having to wash up.
