Emergency Phrases: Stay Calm and Be Understood

Emergencies are rare, but they happen. When they do, you need to communicate quickly and clearly—even in a foreign language.

These are the essential phrases to memorize before traveling. In a crisis, you won't have time to search your phone.

The Most Critical Phrase

"Help!" — Learn how to say this in your target language. Shout it if needed.

• Spanish: ¡Ayuda!
• French: Au secours! / À l'aide!
• German: Hilfe!
• Italian: Aiuto!
• Japanese: 助けて! (Tasukete!)
• Mandarin: 救命! (Jiùmìng!)

This word alone can get attention in any emergency.

Medical Emergencies

Getting Attention

• "I need help!"
• "Please call an ambulance"
• "This is an emergency"
• "Call the police"
• "We need a doctor"

Describing the Problem

• "He/She is not breathing"
• "He/She is unconscious"
• "There was an accident"
• "Someone is injured"
• "I think it's a heart attack"
• "He/She is bleeding"

Your Own Medical Emergency

• "I need a doctor"
• "I need to go to a hospital"
• "I'm allergic to [medication/food]"
• "I have [condition]" (diabetes, asthma, etc.)
• "My medication is [name]"
• "It hurts here" (point)

At the Hospital

• "I don't speak [language] well"
• "Do you speak English?"
• "I have insurance" / "I don't have insurance"
• "Where is my family?"
• "What happened?"

Crime and Safety

Reporting a Crime

• "I've been robbed"
• "My [item] was stolen"
• "Someone took my bag"
• "I need to report a theft"
• "Where is the police station?"

Describing the Situation

• "I was attacked"
• "Someone is following me"
• "I don't feel safe"
• "This person is threatening me"
• "I need help immediately"

Contact Information

• "I need to call my embassy"
• "I am a citizen of [country]"
• "Can I make a phone call?"
• "Please contact [name/number]"

Lost Documents

Reporting Lost Passport

• "I lost my passport"
• "My passport was stolen"
• "I need to contact my embassy"
• "Where is the [country] embassy?"
• "I need emergency travel documents"

Other Documents

• "I lost my wallet"
• "My credit cards were stolen"
• "I need to cancel my cards"
• "I lost my phone"

Requesting Help

Basic Requests

• "Can you help me?"
• "I need help"
• "Please help me"
• "Do you speak English?"
• "Can you call someone who speaks English?"

Location Help

• "Where is the nearest hospital?"
• "Where is the police station?"
• "Where can I find help?"
• "I'm lost"
• "I don't know where I am"

Communication Help

• "Can you call this number for me?"
• "Can you translate for me?"
• "I don't understand"
• "Please speak slowly"
• "Can you write that down?"

Fire and Natural Disasters

Fire

• "Fire!"
• "There's a fire!"
• "Call the fire department"
• "Where is the emergency exit?"
• "Everyone needs to leave"

Earthquake (in affected regions)

• "Earthquake!"
• "Get under something sturdy"
• "Stay away from windows"
• "Is everyone okay?"

General Evacuation

• "We need to leave now"
• "Where is the assembly point?"
• "Is everyone accounted for?"

Personal Information to Know

Memorize or have readily accessible:

Your Information

• Full name (spelled in target language alphabet if different)
• Passport number
• Hotel name and address
• Embassy phone number
• Emergency contact back home
• Blood type
• Allergies and medications

Insurance Information

• Insurance company name
• Policy number
• Emergency assistance number

Key Phone Numbers

• Local emergency number (911, 112, etc.)
• Embassy 24-hour emergency line
• Insurance emergency line
• Your hotel

How to Stay Calm

Breathe

Take a slow breath before speaking. Panic makes speech harder to understand.

Speak Slowly and Clearly

Simple words, said clearly, are better than complex sentences spoken quickly.

Use Gestures

Point, gesture, mime. Non-verbal communication supports verbal.

Repeat Key Information

Say the most important thing multiple times if needed.

Show, Don't Just Tell

Show your injury. Point to where something happened. Use visual communication.

Practice Strategy

Before Traveling

1. Learn "Help" and "Call an ambulance" in the target language
2. Learn "I need a doctor" and "Where is the hospital?"
3. Save emergency numbers in your phone
4. Know your hotel's address to show taxi drivers

Flashcard the Essentials

Create flashcards for:

• 10 most critical emergency phrases
• Your personal medical information
• Key phone numbers

Review until automatic.

Practice Saying Them

Say emergency phrases out loud. In an emergency, you need to be able to speak them without reading.

Quick Reference Card

Create a physical card (paper or phone note) with:

EMERGENCY PHRASES - [LANGUAGE]

Help: [translation]
Call ambulance: [translation]
Police: [translation]
Hospital: [translation]
I don't understand: [translation]
Speak slowly: [translation]

MY INFO:
Name: ___
Hotel: ___
Passport #: ___
Emergency contact: ___
Blood type: ___
Allergies: ___

NUMBERS:
Emergency: ___
Embassy: ___
Insurance: ___

Keep this accessible—wallet, phone, hotel safe copy.

The Reality

Most travelers never face serious emergencies. But being prepared:

• Reduces panic if something does happen
• Enables faster response
• Makes you feel more secure traveling

Learn the phrases. Prepare the information. Then go enjoy your trip.

You're prepared for the worst. Expect the best.

See also: Airport, Hotel, Restaurant: Speaking Scripts, How to Ask for Help When You're Lost