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English Phrases for Emergencies

In an emergency you need short, clear English. Learn these phrases now so you can ask for help, call emergency services and explain what happened.

36 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Asking for help right now

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Help!

A1
İmdat!
  • What's wrong?
  • I'm coming!

Call an ambulance!

A1
Ambulans çağırın!
  • I'm calling now.
  • Is he breathing?

Call the police!

A1

US: 911 for police, fire and ambulance. UK: 999.

Polisi arayın!
  • Okay, I'm calling 911.
  • What happened?

Fire! Get out of the building!

A2
Yangın var! Binadan çıkın!
  • Where are the stairs?
  • Is everyone out?

Is there a doctor here?

A1
Burada doktor var mı?
  • I'm a nurse. Can I help?
  • Someone's calling one now.

Can you help me, please?

A1
Bana yardım eder misiniz, lütfen?
  • Of course. What do you need?
  • What's the matter?

Stop! Thief!

A2
Durun! Hırsız var!
  • Which way did he go?
  • Are you okay?

Watch out!

A2

Said to warn someone of danger. UK also: Look out!

Dikkat et!
  • Whoa, thanks!
  • I didn't see it.

Calling emergency services

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I need an ambulance.

A1

US: 911. UK: 999 or 112. EU: 112.

Ambulansa ihtiyacım var.
  • What's the address of the emergency?
  • Is the person conscious?

There's been an accident.

A2
Bir kaza oldu.
  • Where exactly are you?
  • Is anyone injured?

I'm at 25 King Street, near the station.

A2

Give the number first, then the street, then a landmark.

King Street 25 numaradayım, istasyonun yakınında.
  • Help is on the way.
  • Can you see a street sign?

I don't know the exact address.

A2
Tam adresi bilmiyorum.
  • What can you see around you?
  • Can you share your location?

Please send someone quickly.

A2
Lütfen çabuk birini gönderin.
  • They're on their way now.
  • Stay on the line with me.

Do you speak Turkish? My English isn't very good.

A2

Many services can connect an interpreter; just ask.

Türkçe biliyor musunuz? İngilizcem pek iyi değil.
  • Hold on, I'll get an interpreter.
  • Okay, I'll speak slowly.

Could you speak more slowly, please?

A2
Daha yavaş konuşabilir misiniz, lütfen?
  • Sure. Where are you?
  • Of course.

The person isn't breathing.

B1
Kişi nefes almıyor.
  • I'll tell you how to do CPR.
  • Put the phone on speaker.

Describing injuries and illness

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Someone is hurt.

A1

Hurt and injured both work; injured sounds more serious.

Biri yaralandı.
  • Where are they hurt?
  • Don't move them.

He fell and hit his head.

A2
Düştü ve başını çarptı.
  • Is he awake?
  • Is he bleeding?

She's bleeding a lot.

A2
Çok kanaması var.
  • Press something clean on the wound.
  • Keep pressure on it.

I think my arm is broken.

A2
Sanırım kolum kırıldı.
  • Try not to move it.
  • Can you move your fingers?

He's unconscious.

B1

Unconscious = not awake and does not respond.

Bilinci kapalı.
  • Is he breathing normally?
  • Turn him on his side.

She's having an allergic reaction.

B1
Alerjik reaksiyon geçiriyor.
  • Does she have an EpiPen?
  • Is her throat swelling?

I have chest pain.

A2

Say chest pain, not heart pain.

Göğsümde ağrı var.
  • Sit down and stay calm.
  • How long have you had it?

He's diabetic.

B1
Şeker hastası.
  • Does he need sugar?
  • When did he last eat?

Crime and lost documents

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I've been robbed.

B1

Rob a person; steal a thing. My wallet was stolen.

Soyuldum.
  • When did it happen?
  • Did you see the person?

Someone stole my wallet.

A2
Biri cüzdanımı çaldı.
  • What was in it?
  • Let's file a report.

I've lost my passport.

A2

Present perfect: it is still lost now.

Pasaportumu kaybettim.
  • You should contact your embassy.
  • Where did you last have it?

I'd like to report a theft.

B1
Bir hırsızlığı bildirmek istiyorum.
  • Please fill out this form.
  • Can you describe what was taken?

I need a police report for my insurance.

B1
Sigortam için polis tutanağına ihtiyacım var.
  • We'll give you a copy.
  • It'll be ready tomorrow.

Where is the nearest police station?

A1

Short and clear works best when you are stressed.

En yakın karakol nerede?
  • Two blocks down on the left.
  • It's next to the town hall.

I'd like to contact the Turkish embassy.

B1

Consulate is the office in other cities; embassy is in the capital.

Türkiye Büyükelçiliği ile iletişime geçmek istiyorum.
  • I'll find the number for you.
  • There's a consulate in this city.

After the emergency

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Are you okay?

A1

Also: Are you all right? (common in the UK)

İyi misin?
  • I'm fine, just a bit shaken.
  • I think so.

Stay calm. Help is coming.

A2
Sakin ol. Yardım geliyor.
  • Thank you.
  • Please don't leave me.

Don't move. You might be injured.

B1
Kıpırdama. Yaralı olabilirsin.
  • My leg really hurts.
  • Okay.

Which hospital are you taking him to?

B1
Onu hangi hastaneye götürüyorsunuz?
  • City General.
  • You can ride with us.

Can I come with her in the ambulance?

B1
Ambulansta onunla gelebilir miyim?
  • Yes, get in.
  • Sorry, you'll have to follow us.

Sample dialogues

A call to 911

Operator
911, what's your emergency?
911, acil durumunuz nedir?
You
There's been an accident. A man was hit by a bike.
Bir kaza oldu. Bir adama bisiklet çarptı.
Operator
Okay. What's the address?
Tamam. Adres nedir?
You
I'm on Main Street, in front of the library.
Main Street'teyim, kütüphanenin önünde.
Operator
Is he awake and breathing?
Bilinci açık mı, nefes alıyor mu?
You
Yes, but he's bleeding from his head.
Evet, ama başından kanıyor.
Operator
Press a clean cloth on it. An ambulance is on the way.
Üzerine temiz bir bez bastırın. Ambulans yolda.
You
Okay. Please hurry.
Tamam. Lütfen acele edin.

At the police station

Officer
Good afternoon. How can I help you?
İyi günler. Size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?
You
I'd like to report a theft. Someone stole my bag.
Bir hırsızlığı bildirmek istiyorum. Biri çantamı çaldı.
Officer
I'm sorry to hear that. Where did it happen?
Bunu duyduğuma üzüldüm. Nerede oldu?
You
At a cafe near the station, about an hour ago.
İstasyonun yakınındaki bir kafede, yaklaşık bir saat önce.
Officer
What was in the bag?
Çantada ne vardı?
You
My wallet, my phone and my passport.
Cüzdanım, telefonum ve pasaportum.
Officer
Please fill out this form. You'll get a copy for your insurance.
Lütfen bu formu doldurun. Sigortanız için bir kopya alacaksınız.
You
Thank you. I also need to contact my embassy.
Teşekkürler. Bir de büyükelçiliğimle iletişime geçmem gerekiyor.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

Someone robbed my wallet.

Someone stole my wallet.

You steal a thing but rob a person or place: I was robbed.

I have lost my passport yesterday.

I lost my passport yesterday.

With a finished time like "yesterday", use the past simple. Without a time, "I've lost my passport" shows it is still missing.

My heart is hurting.

I have chest pain.

Doctors and operators expect chest pain; Turkish "kalbim ağrıyor" does not translate directly.

Call the ambulance!

Call an ambulance!

Use a because you mean any ambulance, not a specific one.

I am in the King Street.

I'm on King Street.

Street names take no article. Use on (British English also allows in), never "in the".

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. What is the main emergency number in the US?

  2. 2. Choose the correct sentence.

  3. 3. Which preposition? "I'm ___ Main Street."

  4. 4. What does "unconscious" mean?

  5. 5. What do you say to warn someone of danger?

  6. 6. "Call ___ ambulance!"

  7. 7. Where do you go to get help with a lost passport abroad?

  8. 8. What does an operator mean by "Stay on the line"?

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. 911
  2. Someone stole my wallet.
  3. on
  4. Not awake and not responding
  5. Watch out!
  6. an
  7. Your embassy or consulate
  8. Don't end the call

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

What number do I call in an emergency?+

In the US and Canada, call 911. In the UK, call 999 or 112, and in the EU, 112 works everywhere. Save the local number in your phone when you arrive.

What should I say first on an emergency call?+

Say which service you need, for example "I need an ambulance," then give your location. The operator will ask the rest of the questions, so answer calmly and simply.

What if I don't understand the operator?+

Say "Could you speak more slowly, please?" or ask for an interpreter. Many emergency services can connect one for you.

What is the difference between rob and steal?+

You steal a thing: someone stole my phone. You rob a person or a place: I was robbed, they robbed a bank.

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