Introduction
The word videollamada is an everyday term you’ll hear often in Spanish-speaking countries. As more people study online, work remotely, or keep in touch with family, videollamada has become essential vocabulary. This article helps English-speaking learners understand the meaning, pronunciation, and how native speakers use videollamada. You will see simple definitions, clear examples, and practical tips that even middle school students can follow. By the end, you’ll feel confident recognizing the word in conversation, making your own sentences, and choosing the correct related words. Learning videollamada also helps with other technology-related vocabulary that appears in emails, apps, and social media.
Meaning and Definition
Videollamada means video call in English. It refers to a live audiovisual conversation between two or more people using a device like a smartphone, tablet, or computer. A videollamada combines both voice and video so participants can see each other as they talk.
Basic definition: a real-time communication session that transmits both video and audio between participants.
Common nuance: Videollamada often implies a casual or formal spoken interaction where seeing the other person is important—for example, virtual meetings, online classes, or catching up with friends and family.
Etymology: Videollamada is a compound noun from video + llamada. Video comes from the Latin videre, to see, and llamada comes from llamar, to call. The combination directly translates to call by video or video call.
Usage and Example Sentences
Spanish: ¿Puedes hacer una videollamada esta tarde?
English: Can you do a video call this afternoon?
Spanish: La profesora hará una videollamada para explicar la tarea.
English: The teacher will make a video call to explain the homework.
Spanish: Hice una videollamada con mis abuelos desde mi teléfono.
English: I made a video call with my grandparents from my phone.
Spanish: Necesitamos una buena conexión para la videollamada del trabajo.
English: We need a good connection for the work video call.
Spanish: Durante la videollamada, apaga las notificaciones para no distraerte.
English: During the video call, turn off notifications so you won’t be distracted.
Spanish: ¿Prefieres una videollamada o una llamada normal?
English: Do you prefer a video call or a regular call?
Spanish: La entrevista será por videollamada a las diez.
English: The interview will be by video call at ten.
Spanish: En la videollamada se compartieron documentos y presentaciones.
English: In the video call they shared documents and presentations.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Word Usage Differences
Synonyms in Spanish include llamada por video and llamada de video. These phrases mean the same as videollamada, but videollamada is the most common single-word form used in daily speech and many apps.
Antonyms or opposite concepts: llamada de voz or llamada telefónica refer to voice-only calls without video. If you need to contrast, use llamada por voz to emphasize audio-only communication.
Related words and differences:
– videoconferencia: usually refers to a more formal group meeting or conference with multiple participants and presentation tools. Use videoconferencia for business meetings or webinars.
– chat de video: sometimes used to emphasize a casual, real-time video chat, often one-on-one.
– transmisión en vivo or streaming en vivo: live broadcast to many viewers, not a private call. Use these for public live streams rather than private videollamada.
How to choose: Use videollamada for most private or small group video calls. Choose videoconferencia when speaking of structured meetings, webinars, or formal events. Use llamada telefónica or llamada de voz when there is no video.
Pronunciation and Accent
Pronunciation guide: see-dyo-ya-maa-da (approximate English syllables). In IPA: /biðeoʝaˈmaða/ or more commonly /βiðeoʝaˈmaða/ depending on regional pronunciation.
Stress: The word is stressed on the third-to-last syllable, called antepenultimate stress: videollamada -> vi-deo-lla-ma-da, with the main stress on ma (vi-de-o-lla-MA-da). Because it is a multi-syllable word without accent marks, Spanish natural stress rules apply.
Accent marks: There is no written accent in videollamada. Follow standard stress rules for words ending in a vowel, n, or s; the stress falls on the second-to-last syllable but because this is a compound the natural pronunciation places stress on ma.
Common pronunciation mistakes:
– Dropping the double ll sound: In many Spanish varieties, ll is pronounced like y in yes; in others it might sound closer to zh. Pronounce the ll as a palatal laterally approximant or y sound depending on your region.
– Mixing up video syllables: Some learners say vee-dee-oh instead of the Spanish vi-de-o. Use short Spanish vowels: vi-de-o.
– Not linking syllables: Spanish connects syllables smoothly. Practice: vi-deo-lla-ma-da as a flowing word rather than separate parts.
Native Speaker Nuance and Usage Context
Everyday usage: Native speakers use videollamada for personal and professional situations. For example, families use it to see relatives who live far away, while coworkers use it for daily stand-ups or quick check-ins. Apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meet, and FaceTime often label features with the word videollamada or similar phrases.
Formality: Videollamada is neutral and fits both informal and formal contexts. To be more formal in business settings, people might say hacemos una videoconferencia or reunión por videollamada. For casual chats with friends, they might say hacemos una videollamada o un videochat.
Politeness and scheduling: When arranging a call, native speakers often add polite phrases:
– ¿Te va bien una videollamada mañana? meaning is tomorrow good for a video call?
– ¿Te apetece hacer una videollamada? more casual, inviting someone to chat.
For interviews or formal meetings, confirm platform and time: La videollamada será por Zoom a las 9.”
Cultural notes: In countries with strong family ties, a short videollamada with relatives is common after important events or on holidays. In professional contexts, punctuality is valued; being on time for a scheduled videollamada is polite.
Conclusion
Videollamada is a practical, modern Spanish word that means video call. It combines the ideas of seeing and calling, and it appears across personal and professional settings. Learners should remember the pronunciation pattern, place the stress correctly, and note that it has close relatives like videoconferencia and llamada de voz. Practice with the example sentences in this article, and try making short sentences about your own video calls. Using videollamada correctly will help you navigate online communication, understand app labels, and speak naturally with native speakers. With a little practice, this word will become an easy and useful part of your Spanish vocabulary.
