llamada
Lemma Details
Translation: call; phone call; summons; calling
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Derived from the verb 'llamar' (to call), which comes from Latin 'clamare' meaning 'to shout, cry out, declare'. The English word 'claim' shares this Latin root, as does 'clamor'. The feminine past participle 'llamada' evolved into a noun meaning 'a call' or 'the act of calling'.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'llama' making a call - 'llama-da'
- Sounds like 'yama-da' - imagine someone yelling 'Ya made a call!'
- The double 'll' looks like two telephone poles connected by wires
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, phone etiquette may differ slightly from English-speaking ones. For example, when answering a call, people often say '¿Diga?' or '¿Aló?' rather than 'Hello'. The concept of 'llamada' extends beyond just telephone calls to include summons or calls to action in various contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Llamada' is feminine and typically refers to a phone call or summons, while 'llamado' is masculine and often refers to a calling (vocation) or an appeal.
Notes: Both words derive from 'llamar' (to call) but have developed slightly different usage patterns.
Mnemonic: 'LlamadA' ends in 'A' like 'A call', while 'llamadO' ends in 'O' like 'Occupation' or vocation.
Explanation: 'Llamada' is a noun meaning 'call', while 'llama' can be either the animal, a flame, or the third-person singular present form of the verb 'llamar'.
Confused word:
La llama del fuego es naranja. / Él me llama todos los días.
The flame of the fire is orange. / He calls me every day.
Notes: Context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended.
Mnemonic: 'LlamadA' has the extra 'da' which you can think of as 'dialing again' for a call.