¿cómo se llama esto?
/ˈkomo se ˈʝama ˈesto/word by word
In Spanish, 'what is this called?' is said as ¿cómo se llama esto?
You use this phrase when you want to know the name of a specific object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'how is this called?'
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse this with ¿qué es esto?, which means 'what is this?' You should use ¿qué es esto? when asking about the identity or nature of an object, but use ¿cómo se llama esto? specifically when you are asking for its name.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkomo se ˈʝama ˈesto/
Did you know?
- While llama in this phrase means 'is called', it is a homograph for the Andean animal llama, which was borrowed from Quechua.
- The verb llama is derived from the Latin word for 'flame', which is the ancestor of the English word 'flame'.
- If you forget the name of an object while asking ¿cómo se llama esto?, you might use 'thingy' words like chisme or cacharro to fill the gap.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo se llama esto?What is this called?
- ¿Cómo se llama este libro?What is this book called?
- ¿Cómo se llama esta flor?What is this flower called?
- ¿Cómo se llama este coche?What is this car called?
- ¿Cómo se llaman estos perros?What are these dogs called?
- No sé, ¿cómo se llama esto?I don't know, what is this called?
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are looking at a strange fruit in a market.
- ElenaJavier, ¿cómo se llama esto?Javier, what is this called?
- JavierCreo que es un mango.I think it is a mango.
- ElenaAh, entiendo.Ah, I understand.
- JavierSí, es muy rico.Yes, it is very delicious.
