A Medical Emergency
Essential phrases to call for help, describe symptoms, and communicate with emergency services in Italy.
Key Phrases
Aiuto! C'è bisogno di aiuto qui, per favore!
casualHelp! We need help here, please!
Use loudly to get immediate attention from people nearby.
Scusi, può aiutarmi? C'è un'emergenza medica.
politeExcuse me, can you help me? There's a medical emergency.
Approaching a stranger or staff member for assistance.
Chiamate subito un'ambulanza, per favore!
neutralCall an ambulance right away, please!
Addressed to a group of people in an urgent situation.
Potrebbe chiamare un medico? È molto urgente.
politeCould you call a doctor? It's very urgent.
More formal, asking a specific person to make the call.
Questa persona è caduta e credo si sia fatta molto male.
neutralThis person fell and I think they hurt themselves badly.
Uses the present subjunctive 'si sia fatta' to express belief.
C'è una signora a terra che ha perso i sensi.
politeThere is a lady on the ground who has lost consciousness.
Useful when reporting to a 112 operator or medical staff.
Mi senti? Riesci ad aprire gli occhi?
casualCan you hear me? Can you open your eyes?
Using the informal 'tu', common in immediate emergencies even with strangers.
Mi sente? Sa dirmi come si chiama?
politeCan you hear me? Can you tell me your name?
Using the formal 'Lei', often used by professional first responders.
Fa malissimo qui, penso di essermi rotto la gamba.
casualIt hurts so much here, I think I broke my leg.
'Fa malissimo' is a very natural spoken Italian expression for intense pain.
Sento un forte dolore al petto e faccio fatica a respirare.
neutralI feel a strong pain in my chest and I'm having trouble breathing.
A clear and direct way to describe heart attack or severe panic symptoms.
Sta avendo una grave reazione allergica, ha bisogno di un medico.
neutralThey are having a severe allergic reaction, they need a doctor.
Explaining the situation clearly to bystanders or medics.
Penso di aver mangiato qualcosa a cui sono allergico, mi manca l'aria.
casualI think I ate something I'm allergic to, I can't breathe.
A direct way to explain your own emergency. 'Mi manca l'aria' literally means 'I lack air'.
Stavamo camminando quando ha iniziato a sentirsi male all'improvviso.
neutralWe were walking when they started to feel sick suddenly.
Uses the imperfect tense to set the scene before the sudden event.
Il signore attraversava la strada quando un'auto lo ha colpito.
politeThe gentleman was crossing the street when a car hit him.
Using the imperfect tense (attraversava) for a continuous action interrupted by an event.
È meglio che tu non ti muova, i soccorsi stanno arrivando.
casualIt's better that you don't move, help is arriving.
Uses the present subjunctive 'muova' after the trigger 'è meglio che'.
La prego di stare calmo, abbiamo già chiamato l'ambulanza.
politePlease stay calm, we have already called the ambulance.
A formal way to keep someone calm while waiting for professional help.