Calling Emergency Services
These phrases will help you request emergency assistance, describe an accident, and communicate clearly with a dispatcher in Spanish.
Key Phrases
¡Tienen que venir muy rápido!
casualYou have to come very fast!
Use when you are panicked and need to express urgency.
Necesito una ambulancia, por favor.
neutralI need an ambulance, please.
The standard, clear way to ask for medical help.
¿Puede mandar a la policía?
politeCan you send the police?
A slightly more formal request using the 'usted' form.
¡Un coche chocó con un árbol!
casualA car crashed into a tree!
A direct, descriptive way to explain exactly what you saw.
Ocurrió un accidente de tráfico.
neutralA traffic accident happened.
A standard, objective way to report a crash.
¡Hay mucha sangre!
casualThere is a lot of blood!
A common, direct reaction in a stressful medical situation.
Una persona no puede respirar.
neutralA person cannot breathe.
A clear, factual way to report a specific symptom.
Estoy en la avenida principal, cerca del banco.
neutralI am on the main avenue, near the bank.
Always give clear landmarks if you do not know the exact address.
La ambulancia va a llegar pronto.
neutralThe ambulance is going to arrive soon.
The phrase operators use to reassure the caller.
Tiene que estar en la línea, por favor.
politeYou have to stay on the line, please.
A polite but firm instruction to not hang up the phone.