Breakdown of Llamo a la grúa cuando mi carro se detiene.
yo
I
mi
my
cuando
when
a
to
el carro
the car
llamar
to call
la grúa
the tow truck
detenerse
to stop
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Questions & Answers about Llamo a la grúa cuando mi carro se detiene.
What does “llamo” mean in this sentence?
“Llamo” is the first person singular present tense of the verb llamar, meaning “I call.” In this context, it indicates that the speaker is the one who makes the call to the tow truck.
Why is the preposition a used before la grúa, even though “grúa” isn’t a person?
In Spanish, the verb llamar is typically followed by the preposition a when referring to the person or service being called (as in llamar a alguien). Although la grúa is an inanimate service (a tow truck), this construction is standard when summoning service providers or vehicles.
What does grúa refer to in this sentence?
In Latin American Spanish, grúa commonly refers to a tow truck—the vehicle used to tow or assist a broken-down car. It can also mean a crane in other contexts, but here it clearly implies a tow service.
Why is the verb detener used in its reflexive form se detiene?
The reflexive form detenerse means “to come to a stop.” In this sentence, mi carro se detiene implies that the car stops by itself, which is the natural way to express this action in Spanish.
What role does cuando play in the sentence?
Cuando means “when” and is used to introduce the time clause that specifies the condition under which the action occurs. It tells us that the tow truck is called at the exact moment (or whenever) the car stops.
Why isn’t the subject pronoun yo included before llamo a la grúa?
In Spanish, verb conjugations already reflect the subject. The -o ending in llamo makes it clear that the subject is “I” (yo). Therefore, including yo is unnecessary and typically omitted.
Are there regional vocabulary differences evident in this sentence?
Yes. In Latin America, carro is commonly used to mean “car.” In other regions like Spain, coche might be more prevalent. Similarly, grúa in Latin America specifically refers to a tow truck, while its meaning could vary slightly in different contexts or regions.