devuélveme la llamada
/debwelbeme la ʝamada/from spelling rules
To say "call me back" in Spanish, use devuélveme la llamada.
This phrase is used as a request for someone to telephone you again after you have finished a call or left a message.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb devolver (to return), the indirect object pronoun me (to me) and the noun phrase la llamada (the call). Literally, it means "return to me the call".
Which one should you use?
In casual conversation, Spanish speakers often use llámame luego (call me later) instead of the more literal devuélveme la llamada.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form devuélveme la llamada uses the informal imperative (tú) form of the verb.
Did you know?
- Because llamar (to call) can also mean 'to name' someone, saying llámame without context could technically mean 'give me a name' rather than 'phone me'.
- While llámame luego means 'call me later', using the word luego can be ambiguous. Depending on the country, it can mean 'in a few minutes' or 'sometime in the distant future'.
- The word la in the phrase is a direct descendant of the Latin illa, which originally meant 'that' or 'that one' before becoming the definite article.
Examples in context
- Por favor, devuélvame la llamada lo más pronto posible.Please call me back as soon as possible.
- Oye, llámame de vuelta cuando puedas, ¿vale?Hey, call me back when you can, okay?
- Devuélveme la llamada cuando estés libre.Call me back when you are free.
- No puedo hablar ahora, devuélveme la llamada.I cannot talk now, call me back.
- Por favor, devuélveme la llamada más tarde.Please, call me back later.
Example conversation
Alejandro is calling Lucía during her work hours.
- AlejandroHola Lucía, no puedo hablar ahora.Hello Lucía, I cannot talk now.
- Lucía¿Estás ocupado, Alejandro?Are you busy, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, devuélveme la llamada después.Yes, call me back later.
- LucíaEstá bien, te llamo luego.Alright, I will call you later.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
