CEFR A1-A2
Spanish Emergency Phrases: Medical, Police, and Lost Documents
The phrases on this page are the ones every Spanish-language traveller should learn and never want to use. They cover medical emergencies, calling the police, reporting lost or stolen items, and the situations where time and clarity matter more than politeness. Always carry the number for your country's embassy in your destination country.
Help!
Socorro! / !
IPA /soˈkoro / aˈʝuða/
so-KO-rro / ah-YOO-da
Both work universally. 'Socorro' is the older shout-for-help word; 'ayuda' is the more general 'help'.
Call an ambulance!
ambulancia!
IPA /ˈʝamen ˈuna ambuˈlansja/
YAH-men OO-na am-boo-LAN-sya
Standard for any medical emergency. Emergency number across most of Latin America and Spain: 112 (Spain), 911 (Mexico), 107 (Argentina), 131 (Chile).
I need a doctor.
.
IPA /neseˈsito un ˈmediko/
neh-seh-SEE-to oon MEH-dee-ko
I need a hospital.
.
IPA /neseˈsito ˈiɾ a un ospiˈtal/
neh-seh-SEE-to eer ah oon os-pee-TAL
I am allergic to [substance].
alergico / alergica [sustancia].
IPA /ˈsoj aˈleɾxiko / aˈleɾxika a/
soy ah-LEHR-hee-ko / ah-LEHR-hee-ka ah ...
Crucial in any medical context. Common allergies: penicilina (penicillin), nueces (nuts), mariscos (shellfish), polen (pollen).
I have a serious medical condition.
condicion medica .
IPA /ˈteŋɡo ˈuna kondiˈsjon ˈmedika ˈseɾja/
TEN-go OO-na kon-dee-see-OHN MEH-dee-ka SEH-ree-ah
Open with this if you need to flag a chronic condition (diabetes, heart condition, epilepsy) before treatment.
Call the police!
!
IPA /ˈʝamen a la poliˈsia/
YAH-men ah la po-lee-SEE-ah
I have been robbed.
robado.
IPA /me ˈan roˈβaðo/
meh an ro-BA-do
Standard report phrase. For a violent robbery: 'Me han atracado' (I have been mugged).
Someone stole my wallet.
robo cartera.
IPA /ˈalɣjen me roˈβo la kaɾˈteɾa/
AL-gyen meh ro-BO la kar-TEH-ra
'Cartera' is the wallet in Spain; 'billetera' in much of Latin America; both understood across the region.
I have lost my passport.
pasaporte.
IPA /e peɾˈðiðo mi pasaˈpoɾte/
eh pehr-DEE-do mee pa-sa-POR-teh
Go to your country's embassy or consulate. They will issue an emergency travel document for the journey home.
Where is the British / American / Australian embassy?
embajada britanica / americana / australiana?
IPA /ˈdonde esˈta la embaˈxaða bɾiˈtanika / ameɾiˈkana / awstɾaˈljana/
DON-deh es-TAH la em-bah-HA-da bree-TAH-nee-ka / ah-meh-ree-KAH-na / ows-tra-LYA-na
I do not feel well.
.
IPA /no me ˈsjento ˈbjen/
no meh see-EN-to BYEN
General-purpose opener for any unwellness conversation with a doctor or pharmacist.
It hurts here.
.
IPA /me ˈdwele aˈki/
meh DWEH-leh ah-KEE
Point to the location. The doctor will ask follow-up questions in Spanish, but this gets the conversation started.
I am injured.
/ herida.
IPA /esˈtoj eˈɾiðo / eˈɾiða/
es-TOY eh-REE-do / eh-REE-da
Use the masculine or feminine form depending on your gender.
Could you help me, please?
, ?
IPA /me ˈpweðe aʝuˈðaɾ poɾ faˈβoɾ/
meh PWEH-deh ah-yoo-DAR por fah-VOR
Polite opener for any emergency where you need a stranger's help.
Regional notes
Spain
Emergency number: 112 (single European emergency number covering police, ambulance and fire). Spanish emergency dispatchers speak some English in major cities. Hospital emergency departments are called 'urgencias'. The Spanish national health system (SNS) treats emergencies regardless of nationality; non-residents may be billed afterwards.
Mexico
Emergency number: 911 (introduced 2017 to replace the older numbers). Mexican private hospitals are typically much faster than public ones; if you have travel insurance, ask for the private option. Foreign visitors are charged on the spot at private hospitals.
Argentina
Emergency number: 107 for medical, 911 for police. Buenos Aires hospitals are generally well-equipped; smaller cities have variable medical infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
What is the emergency number in Spain?
112. This covers police, ambulance and fire across Spain. Operators speak Spanish primarily; English assistance is variable depending on location and time of day. In major tourist areas (Madrid, Barcelona, Costa del Sol) English-speaking operators are usually available.
Will I be charged for emergency medical treatment as a foreign visitor?
It depends on the country and your nationality. EU and UK citizens with the EHIC or GHIC card are entitled to emergency treatment in Spain at the public-system rates. In Mexico and most Latin American countries, foreign visitors are billed at full private-rate prices. Travel insurance is strongly recommended; without it, a private hospital admission can cost thousands of dollars.
How do I ask for a translator at a hospital?
Necesito un traductor (I need a translator). Major hospitals in tourist areas often have access to telephone-interpretation services. In smaller cities, expect to communicate in Spanish or rely on a translation app.
What is the difference between 'urgencias' and 'emergencias'?
'Urgencias' is the standard Spanish for the hospital emergency department / A&E in Spain and most of Latin America. 'Emergencias' is the broader word for emergencies; it is also used as a department label in some Latin American countries.