quiero llamar
/kjeɾo ʝamaɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, quiero llamar means "I want to call".
This phrase is used to express a desire to make a telephone call to someone. While the verb llamar can mean "to call" in many contexts, it is the standard way to express making a telephone call in everyday speech. You might encounter telefonear, which is specifically related to using a telephone, but it is less common in casual conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quiero, meaning "I want" and llamar, meaning "to call".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Me apetece llamar is used to convey a sense of eagerness or desire to make a phone call. In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Argentina, Quisiera hacer una llamada is a common way to express the desire to make a call politely.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are calling a person, you must use the personal "a" after the verb. This results in the structure quiero llamar a [person].
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo ʝamaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, you might hear someone say dar un toque instead of using a verb like llamar to mean making a quick call or a 'ring'.
- The verb llamar is a distant cousin of the English word 'claim'. Both words trace their ancestry back to the Latin 'clamare', which meant 'to cry out'.
- While llamar is used for phones, the word llamada can also describe a 'call' in a spiritual or vocational sense, such as a 'calling' to the priesthood.
Examples in context
- Quiero llamar a mi familia.I want to call my family.This sentence shows how to use quiero llamar with a person.Tatoeba #9965232 by Shishir, translation #9966319 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Puedes darme unos minutos? Quiero llamar a alguien.Can you give me a few minutes? I want to call someone.This sentence uses quiero llamar to express a desire to call someone.Tatoeba #3353631 by marcelostockle, translation #9667154 by Truthwatch3r
- Quiero llamar…I want to call…This sentence shows quiero llamar used as an incomplete thought.Tatoeba #437034 by lukaszpp, translation #437033 by lukaszpp
- Quiero llamar a mi padre para felicitarlo por su cumpleaños.I want to call my father to wish him a happy birthday.
- Me gustaría hacer una llamada a la oficina central para solicitar información adicional.I would like to make a call to the main office to request additional information.
- Quiero hacer una llamada a mi mejor amigo para planificar una salida al cine.I want to call my best friend to plan a movie outing.
- Tengo ganas de llamar a mi novia y contarle las buenas noticias.I feel like calling my girlfriend and telling her the good news.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are at a cafe and Lucía looks busy.
- LucíaJavier, lo siento, quiero llamar a mi hermana.Javier, I'm sorry, I want to call my sister.
- Javier¿Está bien? ¿Es una emergencia?Is everything okay? Is it an emergency?
- LucíaNo, solo quiero llamar para saludarla.No, I just want to call to say hello to her.
- JavierEntiendo, tómate tu tiempo.I understand, take your time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llamar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
