20 critical phrases for medical, police and urgent situations. Practice them before you need them.
¡Ayuda!
Help!
¡Llame al 112!
Call 112!
Necesito un médico urgentemente
I need a doctor urgently
Llame a una ambulancia
Call an ambulance
Ha habido un accidente
There has been an accident
Estoy herido/a
I am injured
No puedo respirar
I cannot breathe
Tengo mucho dolor
I am in a lot of pain
Soy alérgico/a a la penicilina
I am allergic to penicillin
Tomo esta medicación
I take this medication
¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?
Where is the nearest hospital?
Me han robado la cartera
My wallet was stolen
Quiero denunciar un robo
I want to report a theft
He perdido mi pasaporte
I lost my passport
Necesito contactar con mi embajada
I need to contact my embassy
¿Hay una comisaría cerca?
Is there a police station nearby?
¡Fuego!
Fire!
¿Dónde está la salida de emergencia?
Where is the emergency exit?
Necesito un abogado
I need a lawyer
No hablo mucho español, ¿habla inglés?
I don't speak much Spanish, do you speak English?
Spain/EU: 112 (all emergencies). Mexico: 911. Argentina: 107 (medical), 101 (police). Colombia: 123. Keep your hotel address, passport number and embassy phone number written in Spanish on your phone and on a card in your wallet.
1. How do you say 'Help!'?
2. How do you say 'I need a doctor'?
3. What does 'emergencia' mean?
4. How do you say 'fire!'?
5. What does 'me robaron' mean?
6. How do you say 'pharmacy'?
7. What does 'estoy perdido/a' mean?
8. How do you say 'it hurts here'?
9. What does 'alergia' mean?
10. How do you say 'Call an ambulance'?
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Emergency vocabulary is the most important to practice because you need it when stressed or in pain. Only well-rehearsed phrases come out naturally under pressure. Practice saying these aloud until automatic.
Keep phrases on a card in your wallet AND saved on your phone. In real emergencies you will not remember vocabulary you only read once. Physical and digital backup provides essential redundancy.
Critical phrase: Necesito un medico (I need a doctor). Follow with: Es urgente, Me duele aqui while pointing, No puedo respirar (cannot breathe), Estoy sangrando (bleeding). Soy alergico/a a + allergen.
Common allergens to memorize: penicilina, frutos secos (nuts), mariscos (shellfish), lactosa, gluten. Estoy embarazada (I am pregnant) is critical information that medical providers need to know immediately.
Me han robado (I have been robbed). Quiero denunciar un robo (I want to report a theft). Necesito una copia de la denuncia (I need a copy of the report) which is essential for insurance claims.
For lost documents: He perdido mi pasaporte (I lost my passport). Necesito contactar con mi embajada (I need my embassy). The denuncia police report is required for replacing documents and filing insurance.
Spain and all EU countries: 112 for all emergencies. Mexico: 911. Argentina: 107 medical, 101 police, 100 fire. Colombia: 123. Chile: 131 ambulance, 132 fire, 133 police. Save the local number before arriving.
Also save your hotel address, embassy phone number and travel insurance emergency line in your phone. Having these numbers readily accessible saves critical minutes when every second counts.
General safety phrases: Es seguro aqui? (Is it safe here?), Que zona debo evitar? (What area should I avoid?). Hotel staff and local guides are always the best source for current safety information.
If you feel unsafe: Llame a la policia (Call police), Dejeme en paz (Leave me alone). Walk toward busy well-lit areas. Enter any open business and ask Puede ayudarme? for immediate assistance.