🚨 Emergency Phrases

⏱ 13 min read

Knowing a few English emergency phrases can help you ask for assistance, communicate basic medical needs, report a problem, and find emergency services when you need help quickly. Each English phrase includes translations in several languages. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional emergency, medical, or legal assistance.

🆘 Asking for Help

🆘 Help!
a short, urgent call for attention
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¡Ayuda!
🇫🇷 French: À l'aide !
🇩🇪 German: Hilfe!
🇮🇹 Italian: Aiuto!
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Socorro!
🤝 I need help.
a clear way to say you need assistance
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Necesito ayuda.
🇫🇷 French: J'ai besoin d'aide.
🇩🇪 German: Ich brauche Hilfe.
🇮🇹 Italian: Ho bisogno di aiuto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Preciso de ajuda.
🚨 It's an emergency!
use this when the situation is urgent
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¡Es una emergencia!
🇫🇷 French: C'est une urgence !
🇩🇪 German: Es ist ein Notfall!
🇮🇹 Italian: È un'emergenza!
🇵🇹 Portuguese: É uma emergência!
🙏 Can you help me, please?
a polite request for assistance
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Puede ayudarme, por favor?
🇫🇷 French: Pouvez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît ?
🇩🇪 German: Können Sie mir bitte helfen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Mi può aiutare, per favore?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pode me ajudar, por favor?
📞 Call emergency services.
ask someone to contact official help
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Llame a emergencias.
🇫🇷 French: Appelez les secours.
🇩🇪 German: Rufen Sie den Notdienst.
🇮🇹 Italian: Chiami i soccorsi.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Ligue para a emergência.

🏥 Medical Emergencies

👨‍⚕️ I need a doctor.
ask for medical help
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Necesito un médico.
🇫🇷 French: J'ai besoin d'un médecin.
🇩🇪 German: Ich brauche einen Arzt.
🇮🇹 Italian: Ho bisogno di un medico.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Preciso de um médico.
🚑 I need an ambulance.
ask for emergency medical transport
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Necesito una ambulancia.
🇫🇷 French: J'ai besoin d'une ambulance.
🇩🇪 German: Ich brauche einen Krankenwagen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Ho bisogno di un'ambulanza.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Preciso de uma ambulância.
🏥 Where is the nearest hospital?
ask for the closest hospital
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?
🇫🇷 French: Où est l'hôpital le plus proche ?
🇩🇪 German: Wo ist das nächste Krankenhaus?
🇮🇹 Italian: Dov'è l'ospedale più vicino?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Onde fica o hospital mais próximo?
🤒 I feel sick.
say you do not feel well
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Me siento mal.
🇫🇷 French: Je me sens mal.
🇩🇪 German: Mir ist übel.
🇮🇹 Italian: Mi sento male.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estou me sentindo mal.
🤕 I am injured.
say you have a physical injury
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Estoy herido / herida.
🇫🇷 French: Je suis blessé(e).
🇩🇪 German: Ich bin verletzt.
🇮🇹 Italian: Sono ferito / ferita.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estou ferido / ferida.
📍 It hurts here.
point to the place that is painful
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Me duele aquí.
🇫🇷 French: Ça fait mal ici.
🇩🇪 German: Es tut hier weh.
🇮🇹 Italian: Mi fa male qui.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Dói aqui.

📞 Calling for Emergency Assistance

🚑 Can you call an ambulance?
ask someone else to request an ambulance
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Puede llamar una ambulancia?
🇫🇷 French: Pouvez-vous appeler une ambulance ?
🇩🇪 German: Können Sie einen Krankenwagen rufen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Può chiamare un'ambulanza?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pode chamar uma ambulância?
🚓 Call the police, please.
ask someone to contact the police
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Llame a la policía, por favor.
🇫🇷 French: Appelez la police, s'il vous plaît.
🇩🇪 German: Rufen Sie bitte die Polizei.
🇮🇹 Italian: Chiami la polizia, per favore.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Ligue para a polícia, por favor.
☎️ What is the emergency number?
ask for the local emergency phone number
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Cuál es el número de emergencia?
🇫🇷 French: Quel est le numéro d'urgence ?
🇩🇪 German: Wie lautet die Notrufnummer?
🇮🇹 Italian: Qual è il numero di emergenza?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Qual é o número de emergência?
⏱️ We need help immediately.
say the situation cannot wait
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Necesitamos ayuda inmediatamente.
🇫🇷 French: Nous avons besoin d'aide immédiatement.
🇩🇪 German: Wir brauchen sofort Hilfe.
🇮🇹 Italian: Abbiamo bisogno di aiuto immediatamente.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Precisamos de ajuda imediatamente.
📍 The emergency is here.
show or say the location of the problem
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: La emergencia está aquí.
🇫🇷 French: L'urgence est ici.
🇩🇪 German: Der Notfall ist hier.
🇮🇹 Italian: L'emergenza è qui.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: A emergência está aqui.

🚓 Police & Safety

👮 I need the police.
ask for police help
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Necesito la policía.
🇫🇷 French: J'ai besoin de la police.
🇩🇪 German: Ich brauche die Polizei.
🇮🇹 Italian: Ho bisogno della polizia.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Preciso da polícia.
👜 I was robbed.
report that someone stole from you
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Me robaron.
🇫🇷 French: On m'a volé.
🇩🇪 German: Ich wurde bestohlen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Sono stato / stata derubato / derubata.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Fui assaltado / assaltada.
🛂 I lost my passport.
report a missing travel document
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Perdí mi pasaporte.
🇫🇷 French: J'ai perdu mon passeport.
🇩🇪 German: Ich habe meinen Pass verloren.
🇮🇹 Italian: Ho perso il passaporto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Perdi o meu passaporte.
😟 I don't feel safe.
say you feel in danger or uncomfortable
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: No me siento seguro / segura.
🇫🇷 French: Je ne me sens pas en sécurité.
🇩🇪 German: Ich fühle mich nicht sicher.
🇮🇹 Italian: Non mi sento al sicuro.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Não me sinto seguro / segura.
🏢 I need to go to the police station.
say you must report something officially
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Necesito ir a la comisaría.
🇫🇷 French: J'ai besoin d'aller au commissariat.
🇩🇪 German: Ich muss zur Polizeistation.
🇮🇹 Italian: Devo andare alla stazione di polizia.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Preciso ir à delegacia.
📝 I want to report a theft.
ask to make an official theft report
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Quiero denunciar un robo.
🇫🇷 French: Je veux signaler un vol.
🇩🇪 German: Ich möchte einen Diebstahl melden.
🇮🇹 Italian: Voglio denunciare un furto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Quero denunciar um roubo.

📍 Getting Assistance

😕 I am lost.
say you cannot find your way
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Estoy perdido / perdida.
🇫🇷 French: Je suis perdu(e).
🇩🇪 German: Ich habe mich verlaufen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Mi sono perso / persa.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estou perdido / perdida.
🤔 I don't understand.
say the words or situation are not clear
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: No entiendo.
🇫🇷 French: Je ne comprends pas.
🇩🇪 German: Ich verstehe nicht.
🇮🇹 Italian: Non capisco.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Não entendo.
🗣️ Do you speak English?
ask if the other person can use English
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Habla inglés?
🇫🇷 French: Parlez-vous anglais ?
🇩🇪 German: Sprechen Sie Englisch?
🇮🇹 Italian: Parla inglese?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você fala inglês?
👥 Is there someone who speaks English?
ask for another person who can translate
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Hay alguien que hable inglés?
🇫🇷 French: Y a-t-il quelqu'un qui parle anglais ?
🇩🇪 German: Gibt es jemanden, der Englisch spricht?
🇮🇹 Italian: C'è qualcuno che parla inglese?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tem alguém que fale inglês?
🐢 Can you speak more slowly?
ask someone to slow down so you can follow
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Puede hablar más despacio?
🇫🇷 French: Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ?
🇩🇪 German: Können Sie langsamer sprechen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Può parlare più lentamente?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pode falar mais devagar?

📍 Finding Help

💊 Where is the nearest pharmacy?
ask for the closest place to buy medicine
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana?
🇫🇷 French: Où est la pharmacie la plus proche ?
🇩🇪 German: Wo ist die nächste Apotheke?
🇮🇹 Italian: Dov'è la farmacia più vicina?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima?
🏥 Where is the hospital?
ask for the hospital location
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Dónde está el hospital?
🇫🇷 French: Où est l'hôpital ?
🇩🇪 German: Wo ist das Krankenhaus?
🇮🇹 Italian: Dov'è l'ospedale?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Onde fica o hospital?
🚓 Where is the police station?
ask for the police office location
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Dónde está la comisaría?
🇫🇷 French: Où est le commissariat ?
🇩🇪 German: Wo ist die Polizeistation?
🇮🇹 Italian: Dov'è la stazione di polizia?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Onde fica a delegacia?
🗺️ Can you show me where it is?
ask someone to point or walk you there
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Puede mostrarme dónde está?
🇫🇷 French: Pouvez-vous me montrer où c'est ?
🇩🇪 German: Können Sie mir zeigen, wo es ist?
🇮🇹 Italian: Può mostrarmi dove si trova?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pode me mostrar onde fica?

💡 English Tip

English adjectives do not change with gender.
injured, lost, and safe stay the same for everyone
Words like injured, lost, or safe stay the same no matter who is speaking.

You simply say: “I am injured.” or “I am lost.” without changing the word.
Many emergency phrases work the same for everyone.
these phrases do not change for gender
I need help.
I need a doctor.
I feel sick.

These expressions can be used by anyone in an emergency.

💬 Sample Emergency Conversations

Getting medical help
asking for a doctor and an ambulance
A: Help! I need a doctor.
B: What happened?
A: I'm injured and I need help.
B: I'm going to call an ambulance.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 A: ¡Ayuda! Necesito un médico.
🇪🇸 B: ¿Qué pasó?
🇪🇸 A: Estoy herido y necesito ayuda.
🇪🇸 B: Voy a llamar una ambulancia.

🇫🇷 A: À l'aide ! J'ai besoin d'un médecin.
🇫🇷 B: Que s'est-il passé ?
🇫🇷 A: Je suis blessé(e) et j'ai besoin d'aide.
🇫🇷 B: Je vais appeler une ambulance.

🇩🇪 A: Hilfe! Ich brauche einen Arzt.
🇩🇪 B: Was ist passiert?
🇩🇪 A: Ich bin verletzt und brauche Hilfe.
🇩🇪 B: Ich rufe einen Krankenwagen.

🇮🇹 A: Aiuto! Ho bisogno di un medico.
🇮🇹 B: Cosa è successo?
🇮🇹 A: Sono ferito e ho bisogno di aiuto.
🇮🇹 B: Chiamo un'ambulanza.

🇵🇹 A: Socorro! Preciso de um médico.
🇵🇹 B: O que aconteceu?
🇵🇹 A: Estou ferido e preciso de ajuda.
🇵🇹 B: Vou chamar uma ambulância.
Reporting a theft
telling someone what was stolen
A: Excuse me, I was robbed.
B: What was stolen from you?
A: My wallet and phone were stolen.
B: We're going to call the police.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 A: Disculpe, me robaron.
🇪🇸 B: ¿Qué le robaron?
🇪🇸 A: Me robaron la cartera y el teléfono.
🇪🇸 B: Vamos a llamar a la policía.

🇫🇷 A: Excusez-moi, on m'a volé.
🇫🇷 B: Qu'est-ce qu'on vous a volé ?
🇫🇷 A: On m'a volé mon portefeuille et mon téléphone.
🇫🇷 B: Nous allons appeler la police.

🇩🇪 A: Entschuldigung, ich wurde bestohlen.
🇩🇪 B: Was wurde Ihnen gestohlen?
🇩🇪 A: Mein Portemonnaie und mein Telefon wurden gestohlen.
🇩🇪 B: Wir rufen die Polizei.

🇮🇹 A: Scusi, sono stato derubato.
🇮🇹 B: Cosa le hanno rubato?
🇮🇹 A: Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio e il telefono.
🇮🇹 B: Chiamiamo la polizia.

🇵🇹 A: Com licença, fui assaltado.
🇵🇹 B: O que roubaram de você?
🇵🇹 A: Roubaram a minha carteira e o telefone.
🇵🇹 B: Vamos ligar para a polícia.
Finding a hospital
asking for directions to medical help
A: Excuse me, where is the nearest hospital?
B: It's two blocks from here.
A: Can you show me where it is?
B: Yes, of course.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 A: Disculpe, ¿dónde está el hospital más cercano?
🇪🇸 B: Está a dos cuadras de aquí.
🇪🇸 A: ¿Puede mostrarme dónde está?
🇪🇸 B: Sí, claro.

🇫🇷 A: Excusez-moi, où est l'hôpital le plus proche ?
🇫🇷 B: C'est à deux rues d'ici.
🇫🇷 A: Pouvez-vous me montrer où c'est ?
🇫🇷 B: Oui, bien sûr.

🇩🇪 A: Entschuldigung, wo ist das nächste Krankenhaus?
🇩🇪 B: Es ist zwei Blocks von hier.
🇩🇪 A: Können Sie mir zeigen, wo es ist?
🇩🇪 B: Ja, natürlich.

🇮🇹 A: Scusi, dov'è l'ospedale più vicino?
🇮🇹 B: È a due isolati da qui.
🇮🇹 A: Può mostrarmi dove si trova?
🇮🇹 B: Sì, certo.

🇵🇹 A: Com licença, onde fica o hospital mais próximo?
🇵🇹 B: Fica a duas quadras daqui.
🇵🇹 A: Pode me mostrar onde fica?
🇵🇹 B: Sim, claro.

🏆 Final Practice

English in the Real World:

Read the situation. Choose the phrase that fits. If a simple or polite phrase is enough, do not pick a stronger one.
Question 1 of 8
✅ Correct: 0
❓ Questions: 0
🎯 Accuracy: 0%