Translation guide
The English verb "call" has many meanings. This guide organizes them by practical use, from naming and contacting to shouting and describing visits.
To give a name or title to a person or thing, or to refer to them by that name.
The most common verb for calling someone by a name or title. Can also mean to invite or summon.
He is called "Sensei" by everyone.
この犬を「ポチ」と呼んでください。
Please call this dog "Pochi."
Specifically means to name someone or something, often used for babies, pets, or new creations.
赤ちゃんに「花子」と名付けました。
We named the baby "Hanako."
Formal or literary verb meaning to call oneself or to style oneself as something. Often used in written contexts.
彼は自らを詩人と称している。
He calls himself a poet.
To make a phone call or contact someone via a communication device.
The standard way to say "call" in the sense of making a phone call. Literally "do telephone."
後で電話します。
I'll call you later.
彼に電話してください。
Please call him.
A slightly more explicit phrase meaning "to make a phone call." Often used when emphasizing the action of dialing.
会社に電話をかけました。
I called the company.
Loanword from English, used in some contexts like calling a taxi or in technical settings, but less common for personal calls.
タクシーをコールしてください。
Please call a taxi.
To say something loudly, often to attract attention.
To shout or yell, often with strong emotion. Can be used for calling out in distress or excitement.
彼は助けを求めて叫んだ。
He called for help.
Can also mean to call out to someone, especially to get their attention or summon them.
外から誰かが私を呼んでいる。
Someone is calling me from outside.
Literally "to let out a loud voice." Used when describing the act of shouting without specifying words.
彼は驚いて大声を出した。
He called out in surprise.
To ask someone to come, often for a specific purpose.
The primary verb for summoning someone, such as calling a doctor, a waiter, or a meeting.
医者を呼んでください。
Please call a doctor.
彼を会議に呼びました。
I called him to the meeting.
To call someone out, summon them to appear, or page them. Often used for calling someone to a specific location.
Formal term for convening or summoning a group, such as a committee or military personnel.
委員会を召集する。
To call a committee meeting.
To say that someone or something has a particular quality or is a particular thing.
Pattern meaning "to call (something) ~." Used to characterize or label.
それは芸術とは呼べない。
You can't call that art.
To evaluate or describe someone as something, often in a critical or formal context.
批評家はその作品を傑作と評した。
The critic called the work a masterpiece.
To make a short visit to a place or person.
To drop by or stop at a place on the way to somewhere else. Common for casual visits.
帰りに友達の家に立ち寄った。
I called on a friend on my way home.
To visit someone, often with a purpose. More intentional than 立ち寄る.
Formal term for visiting, often used for official or scheduled visits.
大使が大統領を訪問した。
The ambassador called on the president.
To make a decision or announcement, such as in a game or contest.
Used in sports and games for calling a play, a shot, or a decision. Loanword from English.
審判がファウルをコールした。
The referee called a foul.
To declare or announce formally, used in card games like bridge or in official contexts.
彼はスペードを切り札と宣言した。
He called spades as trumps.
To say that something is necessary or required.
Pattern meaning "to require ~." Used when a situation calls for a particular action or quality.
この問題は注意を必要とする。
This problem calls for attention.
To demand or call for something, often used in formal or written contexts.
状況が迅速な行動を求めている。
The situation calls for quick action.
While コールする exists, it is not the natural way to say "call someone on the phone." Use 電話する or 電話をかける instead.
彼に電話する。
I'll call him.
呼ぶ is used for calling out to someone to get their attention or summon them, while 叫ぶ implies a loud cry or yell, often emotional. Use 呼ぶ for "call someone's name" and 叫ぶ for "shout for help."
I called him to the office.
明日、先生を訪ねる予定です。
I plan to call on my teacher tomorrow.