Learn key Italian phrases for emergencies—calling for help, asking for a doctor, reporting accidents, and more. Simple pronunciations help you speak clearly under stress.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**I'm lost.** Pronunciation: `mee SOH-noh PEHR-soh` Use when you are disoriented and need directions. (Female speaker: *Mi sono persa.*)
**I am pregnant.** Pronunciation: `SOH-noh een-CHEEN-tah` Essential information for medical personnel, especially in an emergency, as it affects diagnosis and treatment.
**I have a fever.** Pronunciation: `oh FEHB-breh` Use to communicate symptoms of illness to medical personnel.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.*)
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**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.
**I'm choking.** Pronunciation: `stoh sof-foh-KAN-doh` Use to signal airway obstruction and the need for immediate help.
**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).
**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.
**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`).
**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.
**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.*)
**I need a doctor.** Pronunciation: `oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon dot-TOH-reh` Use to request medical attention. Alternative: *Mi serve un dottore.*
**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.
Help — use to call for immediate assistance. Pronunciation: `ah-YOO-toh`
Call an ambulance. Pronunciation: `kee-ah-MAH-teh oon ahm-boo-LAHN-tsa` Formal alternative: `Chiami un'ambulanza` (formal singular)
Where is the hospital? Pronunciation: `doh-VEH l'os-peh-DAH-leh` Useful when asking for directions.
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.
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.
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.
I'm lost.
Pronunciation: mee SOH-noh PEHR-soh
Use when you are disoriented and need directions. (Female speaker: Mi sono persa.)
I am pregnant.
Pronunciation: SOH-noh een-CHEEN-tah
Essential information for medical personnel, especially in an emergency, as it affects diagnosis and treatment.
I have a fever.
Pronunciation: oh FEHB-breh
Use to communicate symptoms of illness to medical personnel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I'm choking.
Pronunciation: stoh sof-foh-KAN-doh
Use to signal airway obstruction and the need for immediate help.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.)
I need a doctor.
Pronunciation: oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon dot-TOH-reh
Use to request medical attention. Alternative: Mi serve un dottore.
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.
Help — use to call for immediate assistance.
Pronunciation: ah-YOO-toh
Call an ambulance.
Pronunciation: kee-ah-MAH-teh oon ahm-boo-LAHN-tsa
Formal alternative: Chiami un'ambulanza (formal singular)
Where is the hospital?
Pronunciation: doh-VEH l'os-peh-DAH-leh
Useful when asking for directions.