How to Deal With an Emergency in Spanish
Learning how to deal with an emergency in Spanish is key if you are planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country. You know, just in case.
This lesson covers the basic conversational tools to be able to communicate about four relatively common types of emergencies.
These short phrases make the difference between getting the help that you need or not. So, let’s dive into this practical and potentially life-saving topic!
¡Hagámoslo!
Let’s get to it!
General Words and Phrases for an Emergency in Spanish
God forbid you get into a situation where you need to explain an emergency in Spanish. But if you do, you can use these general phrases in any situation.
¡Auxílio! / ¡Socorro! / ¡Ayuda!
Help!
¿Puede ayudarme?
Can you help me?
Ayúdeme, por favor.
Help me, please.
Necesito ayuda.
I need help.
¡Cuidado!
Watch out!
¡Ten cuidado!
Be careful!
¡Dése prisa por favor!
Hurry please!
No sé.
I don’t know.
No le entiendo.
I don’t understand you.
Ellos necesitan ayuda.
They need help.
Llame a un servicio de emergencia.
Call an emergency service.
Estoy llamando al 911.
I’m calling 911.
Por favor vete.
Please leave.
¡Vete!
Go away! / Leave!
Déjenos en paz.
Leave us alone.
Vehicular Emergency in Spanish
If you lose your keys, leave them inside the car, get lost, crash, or get hurt, this vocabulary enables you to communicate your emergency in Spanish and get the help you need.
¿Estás bien?
Are you OK?
Estoy bien.
I’m OK.
Me quedé atrapado.
I am stuck.
Estoy lastimado.
I’m hurt.
Me duelen las piernas.
My legs hurt.
Me duele la cabeza.
My head hurts.
Acabo de chocar.
I just crashed the car.
Hubo un choque.
There was a car crash.
Hay heridos.
There are injured people.
Ayúdeme a llamar a mi seguro.
Help me call my insurance.
Estoy esperando al ajustador del seguro.
I am waiting for the insurance adjuster.
Dejé las llaves adentro del coche.
I left the keys inside the car.
Estoy perdido, no sé cómo llegar a mi hotel.
I am lost, I don’t know how to get to my hotel.
Disculpe, ¿sabe cómo puedo llegar a ___?
Excuse me, do you know how to get to ___?
Directions
When someone gives you directions, they will likely use some of these phrases:
A la derecha.
To the right.
En el semáforo a la izquierda.
At the traffic light, to the left.
Todo derecho.
Go straight.
Hasta topar con pared.
Until you reach a wall.
Hasta topar con un parque.
Until you come across a park.
¿Ve esa casa amarilla? Métase por esa calle.
Do you see that yellow house? Go down that street.
La calle que necesita es paralela a esta calle.
The street you need is parallel to this street.
Cruce la avenida y se mete por la diagonal.
Cross the avenue and go down the diagonal.
Medical Emergency in Spanish
When it comes to medical emergencies, your life can depend on getting help promptly. Need an ambulance? A doctor? Help from a passerby? No problem. With these sentences you will be able to act on a case of emergency in Spanish.
¡Necesito una ambulancia!
I need an ambulance.
¡Llame a una ambulancia!
Call an ambulance.
Necesito un doctor.
I need a doctor.
Hubo un accidente.
There was an accident.
Me corté.
I cut myself.
Me duele mucho.
It hurts a lot.
Tengo náuseas.
I feel nauseous.
Necesito vomitar.
I need to vomit.
Creo que me voy a desmayar.
I think I’m going to faint.
Me desmayé.
I fainted.
¡Lléveme a un hospital!
Take me to a hospital!
Creo que me rompí el brazo.
I think I broke my arm.
Creo que me rompí la pierna.
I think I broke my leg.
Necesito que me revisen la cabeza.
I need to get my head checked.
Fire Emergency in Spanish
Being able to explain your emergency in Spanish not only helps you but also others. In a fire emergency, for example, if you manage to get out of a dangerous situation, you can tell someone that others are hurt. Learn these phrases not only to aid yourself but also to assist a rescue.
¡Fuego!
Fire!
Se está incendiando el edificio.
The building is burning down.
La casa está en llamas.
The house is on fire.
¡Llamen a los bomberos!
Call the firemen!
Me quemé.
I got burned.
Hay un incendio.
There’s a fire.
Hay humo en la cocina.
There’s smoke in the kitchen.
Huele a quemado.
It smells like something is burning.
Adentro hay gente que necesita ayuda.
There are people inside who need help
Hay gente en peligro.
There are people in danger.
Muchas personas no pudieron salir.
Many people couldn’t get out.
Yo estoy bien pero otros siguen en peligro.
I am fine but others are in danger.
Ellos necesitan una ambulancia.
They need an ambulance.
No entren, es peligroso.
Don’t go in, it is dangerous.
Criminal Emergency
Every place you go has crime to a greater or lesser extent. If you need to explain a criminal emergency in Spanish, here’s your guide:
Me robaron el celular.
They took my cell phone.
Me asaltaron.
I was robbed.
¡Ladrón!
Thief!
Me quitaron la cartera.
They took my wallet.
Me atacaron.
I was attacked.
Dejé mi computadora portátil aquí y ya no está.
I left my laptop here, and it’s gone.
¡Policía!
¡Police!
Llame a la policía por favor.
Call the police please.
Quiero ir a denunciar que me robaron el pasaporte.
I want to report my stolen passport.
Quisiera denunciar un robo.
I’d like to report a theft.
Calling 911
Before travelling to a different country do some research on what to do, where to go and where to call in case you need help. My advice is to know where your embassy or consulate is, if your hotel has a 24/7 medical service, the location of the nearest hospital, and the country’s emergency phone number.
In México, you can call 911 and if you need to describe an emergency in Spanish, these phrases will be of help.
1. State the emergency.
Answer these questions:
- What happened?
- Are you hurt?
- Is an ambulance needed?
Choqué y necesito una ambulancia.
I crashed my car and need an ambulance.
Hay un incendio en la carretera.
There’s a fire on the highway.
Hay una pelea en el Bar Azul.
There’s a fight in Bar Azul.
Hay un hombre inconsciente en la banqueta.
There’s an unconscious man on the sidewalk.
Estoy lastimado y necesito una ambulancia.
I am hurt, and I need an ambulance.
2. Say where it happened.
Answer the questions:
- Where is the emergency happening?
- What’s the name of the place?
- If possible, provide the street name, street number, and neighborhood.
Estoy en ________.
I am at/in ________.
Pro-tip!: Tell the 911 assistant if you are staying, leaving or have already left the site of the emergency.
3. Tell them your name.
Say your name and don’t forget to mention you are a tourist and where you are from in case you further need diplomatic assistance or if you fall unconscious.
Mi nombre es _______ y soy de _______.
My name is _______ and I’m from _______.
Let’s Practice!
It is beyond important that you practice this vocabulary before your upcoming trip. Dealing with an emergency in Spanish effectively can save you money, time, nerves, or even your life.
And what better way to practice than with a native Spanish speaker like the ones you will encounter in Hispanic countries? Get a Spanish package tailored to your needs and schedule, as well as high school credit with transcripts. Become part of the Homeschool Spanish Academy family and join our 24,000 monthly active students. Sign up for a free class today!
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