Help and emergencies in Catalan
The words you hope to never need. Play the ten Catalan 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 Catalan phrases in this lesson
- Ajuda!a-JOO-da
- Help!
- Truqui a un metge!TROO-kee a oon MET-ja
- Call a doctor
- Policiapo-lee-SEE-a
- Police
- Farmàciafar-MA-see-a
- Pharmacy
- Hospitalos-pee-TAL
- Hospital
- Estic perdutes-TIK per-DOOT
- I'm lost
- No em trobo béno em TRO-bo bay
- I don't feel well
- M'han robatman ro-BAT
- It was stolen
- És una emergènciaes OO-na e-mer-JEN-see-a
- It's an emergency
- Deixa'm en pauDE-sham en POW
- Leave me alone
Shout it clearly and loudly. Catalans respond quickly to someone in distress. The single word is enough. In an emergency, volume and urgency matter far more than perfect pronunciation.
Say this to bystanders who can help while you attend to the situation. "Metge" (doctor) has a soft "tge" ending that sounds like "ja." The emergency number 112 connects to medical services as well.
Catalonia's own police are the Mossos d'Esquadra. The emergency number is 112.
Pharmacies display a green cross sign and are found on almost every block in Catalan cities. Many pharmacists speak English. For after-hours emergencies, a rotating duty pharmacy (farmàcia de guàrdia) is always open nearby.
Pronounced with stress on the final syllable, unlike English. Major hospitals in Barcelona include Hospital Clínic and Hospital de la Vall d'Hebron. EU citizens should carry their EHIC card for public health cover.
Women say "perduda" instead of "perdut." Pair it with "em pot ajudar?" (can you help me?) for the full SOS phrase. Most Catalans will stop and help, often going well out of their way to do so.
A clear signal to a pharmacist, hotel receptionist, or companion that you need attention. Catalan pharmacists are highly trained and can advise on many minor ailments without a doctor visit.
Literally "they have stolen from me." Use it when reporting a theft to police or hotel staff. You will likely need to file a "denúncia" (police report) for insurance purposes.
Literally "leave me in peace".