Emergency Phrases
Critical phrases for urgent situations, seeking help, and communicating during emergencies in the Philippines.
Calling for Help
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| Tulong! | Help! |
| Saklolo! | Help! (older term, still understood) |
| Tulungan ninyo ako! | Help me! |
| May emergency! | There's an emergency! |
| Mabilis! | Hurry!/Quick! |
| Bilisan ninyo! | Hurry up! |
| Pulis! | Police! |
| Tawag ng pulis! | Call the police! |
| Tawag ng ambulansya! | Call an ambulance! |
| Sunog! | Fire! |
| May sunog! | There's a fire! |
Medical Emergencies
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| May sakit ako. | I'm sick. |
| Masakit. | It hurts. |
| Masakit ang tiyan ko. | My stomach hurts. |
| Masakit ang ulo ko. | My head hurts. |
| Masakit ang dibdib ko. | My chest hurts. |
| Hindi ako makahinga. | I can't breathe. |
| Nahihilo ako. | I'm dizzy. |
| Nasusuka ako. | I'm nauseous./I'm vomiting. |
| Nilalagnat ako. | I have a fever. |
| May sugat. | There's a wound./I'm injured. |
| Dumudugo. | It's bleeding. |
| Naaksidente ako. | I had an accident. |
| Kailangan kong pumunta sa ospital. | I need to go to the hospital. |
| Saan ang pinakamalapit na ospital? | Where is the nearest hospital? |
| Saan ang clinic? | Where is the clinic? |
Medical Information
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| Allergic ako sa... | I'm allergic to... |
| May diabetes ako. | I have diabetes. |
| May alta presyon ako. | I have high blood pressure. |
| May asthma ako. | I have asthma. |
| Umiinom ako ng gamot. | I'm taking medication. |
| Kailangan ko ng gamot. | I need medicine. |
| Saan ang botika? | Where is the pharmacy? |
| May reseta ba? | Do you have a prescription? |
| Buntis ako. | I'm pregnant. |
Crime and Safety
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| Nanakawan ako. | I was robbed. |
| Ninakaw ang bag ko. | My bag was stolen. |
| Ninakaw ang pitaka ko. | My wallet was stolen. |
| Ninakaw ang cellphone ko. | My cellphone was stolen. |
| Nawawala ang... | ...is missing. |
| Nawawala ang anak ko. | My child is missing. |
| Nakita ninyo ba ang...? | Did you see...? |
| Holdaper! | Robber!/Hold-upper! (Taglish term) |
| Magnanakaw! | Thief! |
| Huwag kang lalapit! | Don't come closer! |
| Umalis ka! | Go away! |
| Tigilan mo ako! | Stop bothering me! |
Seeking Assistance
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| Kailangan ko ng tulong. | I need help. |
| May problema ako. | I have a problem. |
| Pwede mo ba akong tulungan? | Can you help me? |
| Paano ko kayo makokontak? | How can I contact you? |
| Ano ang numero ninyo? | What is your number? |
| Saan ako makakahingi ng tulong? | Where can I ask for help? |
| Ligtas ba rito? | Is it safe here? |
| Delikado ba? | Is it dangerous? |
At the Police Station
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| Gusto kong mag-report. | I want to report something. |
| Gusto kong mag-file ng kaso. | I want to file a case. |
| Kailangan ko ng police report. | I need a police report. |
| Sino ang nag-report? | Who reported it? |
| Kailan ito nangyari? | When did this happen? |
| Saan ito nangyari? | Where did this happen? |
| May nakita ka ba? | Did you see anything? |
| May witness ba? | Is there a witness? |
| Sino ang may sala? | Who is at fault? |
Natural Disasters
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| Lindol! | Earthquake! |
| May lindol! | There's an earthquake! |
| Baha! | Flood! |
| Bumabaha. | It's flooding. |
| Bagyo! | Typhoon!/Storm! |
| May bagyo. | There's a typhoon. |
| Lumikas na. | Evacuate now. |
| Saan ang evacuation center? | Where is the evacuation center? |
| Ligtas ba rito? | Is it safe here? |
| Pumunta sa mataas na lugar. | Go to higher ground. |
| Huwag lumabas. | Don't go outside. |
Accidents
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| May aksidente! | There's an accident! |
| May nasagasaan. | Someone was run over. |
| May nabangga. | There was a collision. |
| May nahulog. | Someone fell. |
| May nalunod. | Someone drowned. |
| May nasunog. | Someone was burned. |
| Buhay pa ba? | Is he/she still alive? |
| Gumagalaw pa ba? | Is he/she still moving? |
| Huwag mo siyang galaw-galawin. | Don't move him/her. |
Important Contact Information
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| Ano ang numero ng emergency? | What is the emergency number? |
| Kailangan kong tumawag sa embassy. | I need to call the embassy. |
| Saan ang embassy? | Where is the embassy? |
| Kailangan ko ng interpreter. | I need an interpreter. |
| Hindi ako marunong mag-Tagalog. | I don't speak Tagalog. |
| May nagsasalita ba ng Ingles? | Does anyone speak English? |
⚠️ Emergency Numbers
In the Philippines, the national emergency hotline is 911. This connects to police, fire, and medical services. Keep this number accessible at all times.
💡 Stay Calm
In emergency situations, speaking clearly and calmly helps others understand the situation better. If language is a barrier, use simple words and gestures.
See also: Daily Conversation, Travel, Cultural Etiquette