🚨 ¡Ayuda! Essential Spanish Phrases for Emergencies Abroad


While we all hope for smooth travel, knowing key Spanish phrases for emergencies can be critical when time is of the essence. If you find yourself in a medical, legal, or urgent safety situation in a Spanish-speaking region, these phrases will help you quickly communicate your need for help.

1. 🆘 Immediate Need for Help (The Essentials)

These are the most critical phrases to communicate danger or urgent need.

English PhraseSpanish TranslationPronunciation TipUsage Context
Help!¡Ayuda!ah-YOO-dah!To call for immediate attention.
Call the police.Llame a la policía.YAH-meh ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah.For crimes or safety issues.
Call an ambulance.Llame a una ambulancia.YAH-meh ah OO-nah ahm-boo-LAHN-see-ah.For medical emergencies.
Call a doctor.Llame a un doctor.YAH-meh ah oon dohk-TOHR.For less severe medical needs.
It is an emergency.Es una emergencia.ehs OO-nah eh-mehr-HEHN-see-ah.To emphasize the urgency of the situation.
I am lost.Estoy perdido/a.ehs-TOY pehr-DEE-doh / pehr-DEE-dah.Use perdido if male, perdida if female.

2. 🏥 Medical Emergencies and Health Issues

Being able to describe your pain or condition quickly is vital for medical staff.

English PhraseSpanish TranslationPronunciation TipUsage Context
I need a hospital.Necesito un hospital.neh-seh-SEE-toh oon ohs-pee-TAHL.When seeking urgent care.
I am hurt/injured.Estoy herido/a.ehs-TOY eh-REE-doh / eh-REE-dah.To indicate you have physical injuries.
I have pain here.Me duele aquí.meh DWEH-leh ah-KEE.Point to the area of pain while speaking.
It hurts (very much).Me duele (mucho).meh DWEH-leh (MOO-choh).Simple expression of pain level.
I am allergic to [X].Soy alérgico/a a [X].soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh / ah ah [X].Use alérgico if male, alérgica if female.
I need my medication.Necesito mi medicina.neh-seh-SEE-toh mee meh-dee-SEE-nah.If you require immediate access to necessary drugs.
I feel sick/faint.Me siento mal / Me siento débil.meh SYEHN-toh mahl / meh SYEHN-toh DEH-beel.To describe general poor feeling or weakness.

3. 🛡️ Safety and Theft

If you are a victim of theft or feel unsafe.

English PhraseSpanish TranslationPronunciation TipUsage Context
Stop!¡Pare!PAH-reh!To tell someone to halt immediately.
They stole my passport.Me robaron el pasaporte.meh rroh-BAH-rohn ehl pah-sah-POHR-teh.For reporting theft of travel documents.
They stole my wallet.Me robaron la cartera.meh rroh-BAH-rohn lah kahr-TEH-rah.For reporting theft of money/cards.
Where is the police station?¿Dónde está la comisaría?DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah koh-mee-sah-REE-ah?Asking for the local police office.
I need to make a report.Necesito hacer una denuncia.neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-SEHR OO-nah deh-NOON-see-ah.For officially filing a report (required for insurance claims).

4. 📞 Critical Communication

Phrases for communicating with hotel staff, police, or your embassy.

English PhraseSpanish TranslationPronunciation TipUsage Context
Please speak slowly.Por favor, hable más despacio.pohr fah-VOHR, AH-bleh mahs dehs-PAH-syoh.Requesting clearer communication.
I don't understand.No entiendo.noh ehn-TYEHN-doh.When the situation is confusing.
Please write it down.Por favor, escríbalo.pohr fah-VOHR, ehs-KREE-bah-loh.Helpful if verbal communication is difficult.
I am a tourist from [Country].Soy turista de [País].soy too-REES-tah deh [Country].Providing immediate context to authorities.
I need to call my embassy.Necesito llamar a mi embajada.neh-seh-SEE-toh yah-MAHR ah mee ehm-bah-HAH-dah.Requesting assistance from your home country's representatives.

⭐ Tip for Travelers

Know the Local Emergency Number: Always know the equivalent of "911" for the country you are visiting. In many Spanish-speaking countries (including Spain and Mexico), the standard emergency number is 112 or sometimes 911 (especially in Central America). Have this number saved in your phone before you travel.

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