llámame cuando llegues
/ʝamame kwando ʝeɡes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "call me when you arrive" is translated into Spanish as llámame cuando llegues.
This phrase is used to request that someone telephone the speaker immediately after they have reached their destination.
Which one should you use?
Llámame cuando llegues uses the informal tú form. For a formal setting, one would say llámeme cuando llegue. Additionally, Avísame cuando llegues is an informal way to say "Let me know when you arrive."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the subjunctive mood llegues because the arrival is a future event that has not yet happened. Using the indicative llegas instead of the subjunctive llegues is a common mistake that makes the arrival sound like a habitual or certain fact rather than a future request.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying llámame cuando llegas. Using the indicative llegas makes the arrival sound like a habitual or certain fact rather than a future request. Instead, use the subjunctive llegues.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, the phrase avísame cuando llegues is treated as a social contract of safety. It is common for friends and family to insist on this phrase as a way of saying 'I care about your safety during the trip'.
- The word cuando comes from the Latin word quandō, making it a very distant relative of the English word 'cue'.
- In several Latin American countries, people use the verb hablar, which means 'to speak', instead of llamar to ask someone to call them on the phone.
Examples in context
- Señor, llámeme cuando llegue.Sir, call me when you arrive.
- Señora García, por favor, avíseme cuando llegue.Mrs. García, please let me know when you arrive.
- Ana, llámame cuando llegues.Ana, call me when you arrive.
- Juan, avísame cuando llegues.Juan, let me know when you arrive.
- Por favor, llámame cuando llegues al aeropuerto. Mi número es 123-456-7890.Please call me when you arrive at the airport. My number is 123-456-7890.
- Avísame en cuanto llegues al hotel, es muy importante.Let me know as soon as you arrive at the hotel, it's very important.
- Llámame cuando llegues, quiero asegurarme de que llegaste bien.Call me when you arrive, I want to make sure you arrived safely.
- Llámame cuando llegues a casa.Call me when you arrive home.
- Llámame cuando llegues al hotel.Call me when you arrive at the hotel.
- Por favor, llámame cuando llegues.Please, call me when you arrive.
Example conversation
Daniel is seeing Lucía off at the airport before her flight.
- Daniel¡Buen viaje, Lucía!Have a good trip, Lucía!
- LucíaGracias, Daniel.Thank you, Daniel.
- DanielLlámame cuando llegues, por favor.Call me when you arrive, please.
- LucíaLo haré, no te preocupes.I will, don't worry.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuando, CC BY-SA 4.0.
