Help and emergencies in Italian
The words you hope to never need. Play the ten Italian 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 Italian phrases in this lesson
- Aiuto!a-YOO-to
- Help!
- Chiami un medicoKYAH-mee oon MEH-dee-ko
- Call a doctor
- La poliziala po-LEET-syah
- Police
- La farmaciala far-ma-CHEE-a
- Pharmacy
- L'ospedalelos-peh-DAH-leh
- Hospital
- Mi sono persomee SO-no PEHR-so
- I'm lost
- Non mi sento benenon mee SEN-to BEH-neh
- I don't feel well
- Me l'hanno rubatomeh LAN-no roo-BAH-to
- It was stolen
- È un'emergenzaeh oo-neh-mer-JEN-tsah
- It's an emergency
- Mi lasci in pacemee LAH-shee een PAH-cheh
- Leave me alone
Shout this clearly and loudly if you are in danger. Italians will respond. Do not hesitate to use it in a genuine emergency.
The informal urgent command; "chiami un medico" is the formal version. Italy has consolidated onto 112, the single European emergency number, which now handles medical calls nationwide. The old ambulance number 118 still routes in some regions but 112 is the one to dial.
The general emergency number in Italy is 112. The Carabinieri (military police) handle many local incidents. Both are reliable to contact.
Italian pharmacies (green cross sign) are staffed by qualified pharmacists who can advise on minor ailments and sell many medicines without a prescription.
For emergencies, go to the "pronto soccorso" (A&E). EU citizens with a European Health Insurance Card receive free emergency treatment.
Women say "mi sono persa." Italians are generally very helpful to tourists who are lost. Showing your phone map speeds things up considerably.
A clear way to signal you need help without specifying what is wrong. Follow it with pointing or gesturing to clarify the situation if needed.
Use this at the police station when filing a report. Pickpocketing is common in busy tourist areas. Keep valuables in a front pocket or money belt.
Literally "leave me in peace".