Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to call (phone)" in Portuguese: ligar (para)
ligar (para)
Note: to call out: chamar; PT-PT: telefonar
To call (phone) in Portuguese is ligar (para). Say Eu ligo para você and Ontem liguei para o hotel. Include para when you mean call someone. Chamar and telefonar don’t count alone.
Confirming a booking
Eu ligo para o restaurante agora e confirmo a mesa.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ligar (para)
Say it
lee-GAHR
/li.ˈɡaʁ/
lee-GAHR (PAH-rah)
"to call (phone)" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ligar (para) | to call (phone) Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu ligo | I call Present. | Present. |
| liguei | I called Past. | Past. |
| me liga | call me Casual request. | Casual request. |
| telefonar (PT-PT) | to phone European; related. | European; related. |
How to use ligar (para) in real life
- 1Confirming a booking
Eu ligo para o restaurante agora e confirmo a mesa.
I’ll call the restaurant now and confirm the table.
Ligar para + place.
- 2Missed you
Liguei para você duas vezes, mas caiu na caixa.
I called you twice, but it went to voicemail.
Past liguei.
- 3Asking a favor
Me liga quando o Uber chegar, por favor.
Call me when the Uber arrives, please.
Me liga is everyday BR.
Mistakes English speakers make with ligar (para)
Incorrect: Eu ligar para você.
Correct: Eu ligo para você. / Vou ligar para você.
Conjugate: eu ligo.
Incorrect: Vou te chamar no telefone (only).
Correct: Vou te ligar. / Vou ligar para você.
Keep ligar for this verb entry; chamar alone doesn’t count.
Good to know
In Brazil ligar para is the default phone verb. WhatsApp voice calls are still ligar or te ligo no Zap. European Portuguese often prefers telefonar — mentioned here only as a PT-PT note.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Coordinating a pickup
ChatPal
Você liga para mim quando sair do aeroporto?
Will you call me when you leave the airport?
You
Ligo sim. Se não atender, eu ligo de novo.
Yes, I’ll call. If you don’t answer, I’ll call again.
ChatPal
Perfeito. Também posso ligar para o motorista.
Perfect. I can also call the driver.
You
Melhor. Obrigada.
Better. Thanks.
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 Portuguese
I call you?
Eu ligo para você. / Te ligo.
Call me?
Me liga.
I called?
Eu liguei.
PT-PT?
Telefonar is common in European Portuguese.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
