volver a llamar
/bolbeɾ a ʝamaɾ/from spelling rules
To call back in Spanish is to volver a llamar.
The phrase is used when you intend to telephone someone again. A common synonym for this is llamar de nuevo. In many contexts, such as when you say te vuelvo a llamar (I'll call you back), the present tense is frequently used to express a future intention to call someone back immediately or shortly.
Meaning: telephone someone again (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase with a direct or indirect object pronoun, such as in me vuelvas a llamar (you call me back), the pronoun is typically placed before the conjugated form of volver or attached to the end of the infinitive llamar.
How do you pronounce it?
/bolbeɾ a ʝamaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word llamar is a direct relative of the English words 'claim' and 'clamor'. It stems from the Latin clāmāre, which means 'to cry out'.
- If you are in a hurry, you might use the phrase te devuelvo la llamada, which uses the verb devolver to mean 'to return' or 'to give back' the call.
- In Spanish, the word llamar is used to describe both calling someone on the phone and hailing a taxi.
Examples in context
- Ahora estamos comiendo, ¿podría volver a llamar más tarde?We are eating now. Could you please call back later?This sentence is useful for practicing how to politely ask someone to use the form volver a llamar at a later time.Tatoeba #1831987 by Shishir, translation #1830512 by CK
- El Sr. Rodríguez está ocupado en este momento, ¿puede dejarle su número para que pueda devolverle la llamada más tarde?Mr. Rodríguez is currently busy, can you leave him your number so he can call you back later?
- El departamento de ventas analizará su consulta y se comunicará de nuevo con usted en breve.The sales department will analyze your inquiry and will call you back shortly.
- Disculpe, la línea se cortó. Voy a volver a llamar.Sorry, the line got disconnected. I will call you back.
- Te llamo más tarde, no puedo hablar ahora. Por favor, regresa la llamada.I'll call you later, I can't talk now. Please call me back.
- ¿Puede devolverme la llamada, por favor?Can you call me back, please?
- Te voy a volver a llamar mañana.I am going to call you back tomorrow.
- Él prometió volver a llamar pronto.He promised to call back soon.
Example conversation
Mateo is busy when María calls him.
- María¿Estás libre para hablar ahora, Mateo?Are you free to talk now, Mateo?
- MateoNo, estoy en una reunión.No, I am in a meeting.
- María¿Cuándo puedo volver a llamar?When can I call back?
- MateoLlámame en una hora, por favor.Call me in an hour, please.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, llamar, volver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
