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.
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 è 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 è 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'è 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 — 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'è l'ospedale?
Where is the hospital?
Pronunciation: doh-VEH l'os-peh-DAH-leh
Useful when asking for directions.