Help and emergencies in Bengali
The words you hope to never need. Play the ten Bengali words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Bengali phrases in this lesson
- সাহায্য করুন!sha-HAJ-jo KO-run
- Help!
- ডাক্তার ডাকুনDAK-tar DA-kun
- Call a doctor
- পুলিশPU-lish
- Police
- ওষুধের দোকানO-shu-dher DO-kan
- Pharmacy
- হাসপাতালHASH-pa-tal
- Hospital
- আমি হারিয়ে গেছিAA-mi HA-ri-yeh GEY-chi
- I'm lost
- আমি ভালো নেইAA-mi BHA-lo NEI
- I don't feel well
- চুরি হয়ে গেছেCHU-ri HOY-eh GEY-che
- It was stolen
- এটা জরুরিE-ta JO-ru-ri
- It's an emergency
- আমাকে একা থাকতে দিনAA-ma-ke E-ka THAK-te DIN
- Leave me alone
The direct call for help. A louder shout is "বাঁচাও!" (BAA-chao, save me). For a calmer request, "আমাকে সাহায্য করুন" (please help me) is less alarming for everyday problems.
The national emergency number in Bangladesh is 999. Ambulance services exist in Dhaka (199). In rural areas, getting to the nearest upazila health complex quickly is often the most practical approach.
The Bangladesh Police emergency line is 999 (combining police, fire, and ambulance). The nearest thana (থানা, police station) is always a starting point for reporting incidents.
Literally "medicine shop". Pharmacies are everywhere in Bangladesh and are often willing to help identify medicines from a package or describe symptoms through gesture. Many sell medicines without prescriptions.
Dhaka Medical College Hospital is the main government facility in Dhaka. Private hospitals (Square, United) are faster for emergencies. The word for emergency is "জরুরি বিভাগ" (jo-RU-ri BIB-hag, emergency department).
Literally "I have become lost". Show a map on your phone or the name of your hotel in Bengali. Bangladeshis are famously hospitable to strangers and will often walk you part of the way.
Literally "I am not well". At a pharmacy, "ব্যথা আছে" (bae-THA aa-CHEH, there is pain) plus pointing at what hurts covers most situations simply.
Combine with the previous pattern: আমার ফোন চুরি হয়ে গেছে, my phone was stolen. This is enough to start any police report or hotel interaction.
Literally "this is urgent". The emergency number in Bangladesh is 999, in India 112.
Literally "let me stay alone". Firm and polite.