Calling Emergency Services
Use these essential phrases to confidently call for help, describe an emergency situation, and answer a dispatcher's questions.
Key Phrases
C'est une urgence. J'ai besoin d'une ambulance.
neutralIt is an emergency. I need an ambulance.
Au secours ! Vite, appelez la police !
casualHelp! Quick, call the police!
Use this to shout to bystanders in the street rather than on the phone.
Il y a eu un accident grave sur la route.
neutralThere has been a serious accident on the road.
Un homme est tombé. Il ne bouge pas.
neutralA man has fallen. He is not moving.
Mon ami est par terre. Il ne se réveille pas.
casualMy friend is on the ground. He is not waking up.
L'adresse exacte est le dix rue de Paris.
politeThe exact address is ten Paris Street.
On est juste devant l'entrée du parc.
casualWe are right in front of the park entrance.
Using 'on' instead of 'nous' is extremely common in everyday spoken French.
Est-ce que la personne respire bien ?
neutralIs the person breathing well?
Emergency operators will ask basic questions to assess the danger.
Une équipe va arriver. Ne raccrochez pas.
neutralA team is going to arrive. Do not hang up.
Vous devez rester en ligne avec moi, s'il vous plaît.
politeYou must stay on the line with me, please.