llama mañana
/ʝama maɲana/from spelling rules
The English phrase "call back tomorrow" can be said in Spanish as llama mañana.
This phrase is used to request that someone telephones you again on the following day.
Which one should you use?
For a colloquial tone, you might use Hazme una llamada mañana, ¿vale? to mean "Give me a call tomorrow, okay?", whereas for an informal way to ask, you can use Me llamas mañana? which translates to "call me tomorrow?"
How do you pronounce it?
/ʝama maɲana/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid translating the word "back" literally as "de vuelta" in this context. While English speakers might try to say llama de vuelta, this sounds unnatural in Spanish. Simply saying llama mañana is sufficient to imply the return call.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, 'mañana' is often used colloquially to mean 'sometime in the indefinite future' rather than the specific next day. If someone says they will call you 'mañana' in a casual setting, it might actually mean 'not today'.
- The word llama in this phrase is a homograph to several other common Spanish words. While it is the imperative form of 'llamar' (to call), it is also the word for 'flame' and the name of the South American animal, the 'llama'.
- The word llama referring to the animal was borrowed directly from the Quechua language.
Examples in context
- Llama mañana para confirmar la cita.Call back tomorrow to confirm the appointment.
- No estoy disponible, llama mañana.I am not available, call back tomorrow.
- Llama mañana por la tarde, por favor.Call back tomorrow afternoon, please.
Example conversation
María is busy in a meeting when Javier calls.
- MaríaHola Javier, estoy en una reunión.Hello Javier, I am in a meeting.
- JavierPerdón, ¿tienes un minuto?Sorry, do you have a minute?
- MaríaNo, llama mañana temprano.No, call back tomorrow early.
- JavierEstá bien, lo haré.That is fine, I will do it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llama, mañana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
