Learn key Italian phrases for emergenciesโcalling for help, asking for a doctor, reporting accidents, and more. Simple pronunciations help you speak clearly under stress.
Ho bisogno dell'ambasciata.
I need the embassy.
Pronunciation: oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dell ahm-bah-SHAH-tah
Use when you need consular services, have lost your passport, or need assistance as a foreign citizen in legal trouble.
Sono stato derubato.
I have been robbed.
Pronunciation (male): SOH-noh STA-toh deh-roo-BAH-toh
Pronunciation (female): SOH-nah STA-tah deh-roo-BAH-tah
Use to report a robbery to the police.
Ho bisogno di un dentista.
I need a dentist.
Pronunciation: oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon den-TEE-stah
Use when you have a dental emergency or need to find a dentist.
Mi sono perso.
I'm lost.
Pronunciation: mee SOH-noh PEHR-soh
Use when you are disoriented and need directions. (Female speaker: Mi sono persa.)
Sono incinta.
I am pregnant.
Pronunciation: SOH-noh een-CHEEN-tah
Essential information for medical personnel, especially in an emergency, as it affects diagnosis and treatment.
Ho febbre.
I have a fever.
Pronunciation: oh FEHB-breh
Use to communicate symptoms of illness to medical personnel.
Sono stato aggredito/a.
I have been assaulted.
Pronunciation (male): SOH-noh STA-toh ahg-greh-DEE-toh
Pronunciation (female): SOH-nah STA-tah ahg-greh-DEE-tah
Use to report an assault to the police or emergency services. This is a serious crime and requires immediate attention.
Ho bisogno di un avvocato.
I need a lawyer.
Pronunciation: oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon av-voh-KAH-toh
Use if you find yourself in legal trouble or need legal advice, especially if detained or questioned by authorities.
Ho perso il mio gruppo.
I've lost my group.
Pronunciation: oh PEHR-soh eel MEE-oh GROO-poh
Use when separated from your travel companions or tour group and need assistance finding them.
Non ho soldi per tornare a casa.
I don't have money to get home.
Pronunciation: non oh SOHL-dee pehr tor-NAH-reh ah KAH-zah
Use when stranded without funds for transportation. Can help explain your situation to police, embassy, or charitable organizations.
Il numero di emergenza รจ 112.
The emergency number is 112.
Pronunciation: eel NOO-meh-roh dee eh-mer-JEN-tsa eh chen-toh-DOH-dee-chee
Italy's unified emergency number for police, fire, and medical emergencies. Essential information to share with others or confirm when calling for help.
Sono rimasto bloccato.
I'm trapped/stuck.
Pronunciation: SOH-noh ree-MAH-stoh blok-KAH-toh
Use when physically trapped in an elevator, building, or other confined space. (Female speaker: Sono rimasta bloccata.)
Mi si รจ bloccata la macchina.
My car broke down.
Pronunciation: mee see eh blok-KAH-tah lah MAH-kee-nah
Use when your vehicle has mechanical problems and you need roadside assistance or towing services.
Ho bisogno di aiuto urgente.
I need urgent help.
Pronunciation: oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee ah-YOO-toh oor-JEN-teh
Use when you need immediate assistance but the situation requires more emphasis than just "Aiuto!" - conveys the urgency of your emergency.
Ho bisogno di un traduttore.
I need a translator.
Pronunciation: oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon trah-doot-TOH-reh
Use when you need help communicating with medical personnel, police, or other emergency responders who don't speak your language.
Sono diabetico/a.
I'm diabetic.
Pronunciation (male): SOH-noh dee-ah-BEH-tee-koh
Pronunciation (female): SOH-na dee-ah-BEH-tee-kah
Essential medical information for emergency responders. Can explain symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
Mi sento svenire.
I feel like I'm going to faint.
Pronunciation: mee SEN-toh sveh-NEE-reh
Use when feeling dizzy or about to lose consciousness. Important to communicate to get immediate help and avoid falling.
Dove posso trovare una farmacia?
Where can I find a pharmacy?
Pronunciation: DOH-veh POS-soh troh-VAH-reh OO-nah far-mah-CHEE-ah
Use when you need to find medication or first aid supplies. Pharmacies in Italy often provide basic medical advice and emergency supplies.
Ho dolore al petto.
I have chest pain.
Pronunciation: oh doh-LOH-reh ahl PET-toh
Use to report chest pain to medical personnel. This could indicate a heart attack or other serious condition requiring immediate attention.
Ho perso i documenti.
I lost my documents.
Pronunciation: oh PEHR-soh ee doh-koo-MEN-tee
Use when you've lost your passport, ID, or other important documents. Essential for reporting to police or embassy.
Non parlo italiano.
I don't speak Italian.
Pronunciation: non PAR-loh ee-tah-lee-AH-noh
Essential phrase to communicate language barriers to emergency responders or helpful bystanders who can assist with translation.
Chiamate i vigili del fuoco!
Call the fire department!
Pronunciation: kee-ah-MAH-teh ee VEE-jee-lee del FOO-oh-koh
Formal alternative: Chiami i vigili del fuoco!
(formal singular). Use when there's a fire or other emergency requiring firefighters.
Chiamate la polizia!
Call the police.
Pronunciation: kee-ah-MAH-teh lah poh-lee-TSEE-ah
Formal alternative: Chiami la polizia!
(formal singular). Use when you need police assistance.
Sto soffocando.
I'm choking.
Pronunciation: stoh sof-foh-KAN-doh
Use to signal airway obstruction and the need for immediate help.
Mi hanno derubato.
I've been robbed.
Pronunciation: mee AN-no deh-roo-BAH-toh
Useful when reporting a theft to the police. Gender-neutral.
Alternative: Sono stato derubato
(male), Sono stata derubata
(female).
Non riesco a respirare.
I can't breathe.
Pronunciation: non RYE-shko ah reh-spee-RAH-reh
Use to tell bystanders or emergency personnel that you are unable to breathe and need immediate help.
Sono allergico/a.
I'm allergic.
Pronunciation (male): SOH-noh ah-lehr-JEE-koh
Pronunciation (female): SOH-na ah-lehr-JEE-kah
Use Sono allergico a [sostanza]
to specify the allergen (e.g. Sono allergico alle noci
).
Sto perdendo molto sangue.
I'm losing a lot of blood / I'm bleeding heavily.
Pronunciation: stoh pehr-DEHN-doh MOHL-toh SAHN-gweh
Use to report severe bleeding and request urgent medical assistance.
Mi sono ferito.
I'm injured / I got hurt.
Pronunciation: mee SOH-no feh-REE-toh
Use when telling responders you were hurt. (Female speaker: Mi sono ferita.)
Ho bisogno di un dottore.
I need a doctor.
Pronunciation: oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon dot-TOH-reh
Use to request medical attention. Alternative: Mi serve un dottore.
C'รจ stato un incidente.
There has been an accident.
Pronunciation: CHEH STA-toh oon een-chee-DEN-teh
Useful when reporting an accident to emergency services or the police.
Aiuto!
Help โ use to call for immediate assistance.
Pronunciation: ah-YOO-toh
Chiamate un'ambulanza!
Call an ambulance.
Pronunciation: kee-ah-MAH-teh oon ahm-boo-LAHN-tsa
Formal alternative: Chiami un'ambulanza
(formal singular)
Dov'รจ l'ospedale?
Where is the hospital?
Pronunciation: doh-VEH l'os-peh-DAH-leh
Useful when asking for directions.