Being prepared for emergencies while traveling is crucial. If you’re traveling in a Chinese-speaking country, it will be important to familiarizing yourself with essential vocabulary and phrases related to emergencies in Chinese. This can make a significant difference in critical situations.
30 Important Emergency Chinese
Medical Emergencies
医生 (yīshēng) - Doctor
医院 (yīyuàn) - Hospital
急救 (jíjiù) - First aid
救护车 (jiùhùchē) - Ambulance
药 (yào) - Medicine
药店 (yàodiàn) - Pharmacy
受伤 (shòushāng) - Injured
病 (bìng) - Illness
疼 (téng) - Pain
过敏 (guòmǐn) - Allergy
Safety and Security
警察 (jǐngchá) - Police
报警 (bàojǐng) - Call the police
盗窃 (dàoqiè) - Theft
紧急 (jǐnjí) - Emergency
危险 (wēixiǎn) - Danger
安全 (ānquán) - Safety
逃生 (táoshēng) - Escape
疏散 (shūsàn) - Evacuate
Fire Emergencies
火 (huǒ) - Fire
火灾 (huǒzāi) - Fire disaster
灭火器 (mièhuǒqì) - Fire extinguisher
火警 (huǒjǐng) - Fire alarm
逃生出口 (táoshēng chūkǒu) - Emergency exit
Miscellaneous
事故 (shìgù) - Accident
失踪 (shīzōng) - Missing
求救 (qiújiù) - Call for help
记录 (jìlù) - Record (as in documenting an incident)
身份证 (shēnfènzhèng) - ID card
确认 (quèrèn) - Confirm
医疗 (yīliáo) - Medical
Useful Phrases for Asking for Help When you find yourself in an emergency situation, knowing how to ask for help is essential. Here are some practical phrases that can assist you: Medical Emergencies
我需要医生。(Wǒ xūyào yīshēng.) "I need a doctor."
请叫急救车！(Qǐng jiào jíjiùchē!) "Please call an ambulance!"
我的朋友受伤了。(Wǒ de péngyǒu shòushāng le.) "My friend is injured."
他/她需要药。(Tā xūyào yào.) "He/She needs medicine."
我感到不舒服。(Wǒ gǎndào bù shūfú.) "I feel unwell."
Safety and Security
请帮我报警。(Qǐng bāng wǒ bàojǐng.) "Please help me call the police."
我丢了钱包。(Wǒ diū le qiánbāo.) "I lost my wallet."
有人跟踪我！(Yǒurén gēnzōng wǒ!) "Someone is following me!"
我需要安全的地方。(Wǒ xūyào ānquán de dìfāng.) "I need a safe place."
请告诉我该怎么做。(Qǐng gàosù wǒ gāi zěnme zuò.) "Please tell me what to do."
Fire Emergencies
着火了！(Zháohuǒ le!) "There is a fire!"
请帮我打电话给消防队！(Qǐng bāng wǒ dǎ diànhuà gěi xiāofángduì!) "Please help me call the fire department!"
请帮忙灭火！(Qǐng bāngmáng mièhuǒ!) "Please help put out the fire!"
哪里有灭火器？(Nǎlǐ yǒu mièhuǒqì?) "Where is the fire extinguisher?"
请告诉我逃生出口在哪里。(Qǐng gàosù wǒ táoshēng chūkǒu zài nǎlǐ.) "Please tell me where the emergency exit is."
General Emergency Help
我需要帮助！(Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù!) "I need help!"
请立即帮助我！(Qǐng lìjí bāngzhù wǒ!) "Please help me immediately!"
这是我的护照，帮我找到它！(Zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào, bāng wǒ zhǎodào tā!) "This is my passport, help me find it!"
我迷路了，您能帮我吗？(Wǒ mílù le, nín néng bāng wǒ ma?) "I’m lost, can you help me?"
我需要翻译。(Wǒ xūyào fānyì.) "I need a translator."
Ways to Ask for Help in China When asking for help in China, it's essential to be polite and clear. Here are some effective strategies: Stay Calm and Polite In any emergency, staying calm can help you think clearly and communicate better. Begin your request with a polite phrase, such as “对不起 (duìbùqǐ)” meaning "Excuse me," to grab attention. Use Basic Vocabulary If you are unsure about complex sentences, use basic vocabulary and phrases from the list above. For example, saying “医生!” (yīshēng!) clearly indicates that you need a doctor. Point to Relevant Information If you have a phone or document with relevant information (like a map showing your location), pointing can help convey your message effectively. Ask Bystanders for Help If you see locals nearby, they may be more willing to assist you. Approach them and use simple phrases to express your need for help. Utilize Mobile Apps Using translation apps can bridge communication gaps. Apps like Google Translate can be handy for typing out your needs and having them translated into Chinese. Know Emergency Numbers Familiarize yourself with important emergency numbers before your trip. Mainland China
Police (警察): 110 (jǐngchá)
Ambulance (急救): 120 (jíjiù)
Fire (火警): 119 (huǒjǐng)
Hong Kong / Macau
Police (警察): 999 (jǐngchá)
Ambulance (救護): 999 (jiùhù)
Fire (火警): 999 (huǒjǐng)
Singapore
Police (警察): 999 (jǐngchá)
Ambulance (救護): 995 (jiùhù)
Fire (火警): 995 (huǒjǐng)
Seek Help from Hotels or Restaurants If you find yourself in a hotel or restaurant, don’t hesitate to ask staff for assistance. They are usually trained to handle emergencies and can help you contact the relevant authorities. Use Local Language Resources Carrying a small phrasebook or downloading a language app can provide you with quick access to essential phrases when needed. Are you looking for an online Chinese class for your kids to learn Mandarin and Chinese culture? LingoAce is one of the best ways to learn Chinese online. Each one-on-one lesson is the product of nearly 200 hours of curriculum development, teacher training, and quality control. LingoAce classes are tailored to meet your child's learning needs. Experience a redefined Chinese learning experience and book a free trial class with us today.
