Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to call (phone)" in Italian: chiamare
chiamare
To call in Italian is chiamare (kyah-MAH-reh). Ti chiamo means I'll call you. Chiama means he/she calls or the imperative call!
Leaving a café
Ti chiamo quando arrivo a casa.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce chiamare
Say it
kyah-MAH-reh
/kjaˈma.re/
Chiamare stresses MAH: kyah-MAH-reh. Chiamo is KYAH-moh. Soft chi like kya.
"to call (phone)" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| chiamare | to call (phone / name) Phone or calling someone's name. | Phone or calling someone's name. |
| chiamo / chiami / chiama | I call / you call / he-she calls Present singular. | Present singular. |
| ti chiamo | I'll call you Promise to phone. | Promise to phone. |
| chiamare un taxi | to call a taxi Ordering a cab. | Ordering a cab. |
How to use chiamare in real life
- 1Leaving a café
Ti chiamo quando arrivo a casa.
I'll call you when I get home.
Ti chiamo.
- 2Busy afternoon
Chiama dopo cena, ora non posso.
Call after dinner; I can't now.
Chiama imperative.
- 3Hotel desk
Possiamo chiamare un taxi?
Can we call a taxi?
Chiamare.
Mistakes English speakers make with chiamare
Incorrect: Io chiamare Marco.
Correct: Chiamo Marco.
Conjugate: io chiamo.
Incorrect: Telefono a te stasera. (if you need chiamare)
Correct: Ti chiamo stasera.
Ti chiamo is the natural I'll call you.
Good to know
Italians still say ti chiamo for a real phone call, even when they might actually WhatsApp. Chiama! shouted across a piazza also means call that person over.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Coordinating a late pickup
ChatPal
Mi chiami quando sei pronto?
Will you call me when you're ready?
You
Sì, ti chiamo verso le nove.
Yes, I'll call you around nine.
ChatPal
Se non rispondi, chiamo al citofono.
If you don't answer, I'll call on the intercom.
You
Va bene, resto vicino al telefono.
Ok, I'll stay near the phone.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to call (phone)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to call (phone)" in Italian
I'll call you?
Ti chiamo.
Call me!
Chiamami!
What's your name?
Come ti chiami? uses the same verb.
Call a taxi?
Chiamare un taxi.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
