No traveler wants to think about emergencies, but being prepared with the right French vocabulary could be critical if something goes wrong. While France is generally very safe, medical emergencies, accidents, lost items, and unforeseen problems can happen to anyone.
This guide covers essential emergency vocabulary and phrases that could help you navigate a crisis with more confidence. The good news is that France has excellent emergency services, and most people in emergency services speak at least some English. But speaking French in an emergency shows respect and often results in faster, more effective help.
Emergency Numbers and How to Call for Help
Emergency numbers in France:
- 15 (kanz) — SAMU (ambulance/medical emergencies)
- 17 (dis-sept) — Police
- 18 (dis-huit) — Fire department (Pompiers – pom-PYAY)
- 112 (san-douz) — European emergency number (works from any phone, including cell phones without service)
- 114 (san-katorz) — SMS emergency (for deaf/hearing impaired)
Calling for help:
Appelez le SAMU! (ah-play-ay luh SAH-MOO) — Call an ambulance!
Appelez la police! (ah-play-ay lah puh-LEES) — Call the police!
Appelez les pompiers! (ah-play-ay lay pom-PYAY) — Call the fire department!
C’est une urgence! (seh toon ur-ZHOHS) — It’s an emergency!
Aidez-moi! (ay-day-mwah) — Help me!
Au secours! (oh suh-KOOR) — Help! (literally “to rescue”)
J’ai besoin d’une ambulance (zhay buh-ZWAHN doon ahm-boo-LAHNS) — I need an ambulance
Quelqu’un est blessé (kel-kuhn eh BLUH-say) — Someone is injured
Il y a eu un accident (eel ee ah ew uhn ahk-see-DOHN) — There’s been an accident
What to provide to emergency services:
Mon adresse est… (mohn nah-DRES eh) — My address is…
Je suis à… (zhuh swee ah) — I’m at…
C’est proche de… (seh prohsh duh) — It’s near…
Mon numéro de téléphone est… (mohn noo-may-ROH duh tay-lay-FOHN eh) — My phone number is…
Je suis touriste (zhuh swee too-REEST) — I’m a tourist
Je suis ressortissant(e) de… (zhuh swee res-or-tee-sohn duh) — I’m a citizen of… (your country)
Medical Emergencies: When Someone is Hurt
Describing the situation:
Quelqu’un s’est évanoui(e) (kel-kuhn seh tay-vah-noo-ee) — Someone has fainted/passed out
Il/Elle a une blessure grave (eel/el ah oon bles-YUR GRAHV) — He/She has a serious injury
Il y a beaucoup de sang (eel ee ah boh-KOO duh sohn) — There’s a lot of blood
Il/Elle a une blessure à la tête (eel/el ah oon bles-YUR ah lah tet) — He/She has a head injury
Il/Elle saigne beaucoup (eel/el sen-yuh boh-KOO) — He/She is bleeding a lot
Il/Elle a du mal à respirer (eel/el ah doo mahl ah res-pee-RAY) — He/She is having trouble breathing
Il/Elle a perdu connaissance (eel/el ah pair-doo kuh-neh-SAHNS) — He/She has lost consciousness
Il y a une fracture (eel ee ah oon frahk-TUR) — There’s a fracture
C’est cassé (seh kah-SAY) — It’s broken
Il/Elle a besoin d’oxygène (eel/el ah buh-ZWAHN duh ock-see-ZHEN) — He/She needs oxygen
Your condition:
Je me sens mal (zhuh muh sohn mahl) — I feel bad/unwell
J’ai mal (zhay mahl) — I’m in pain
J’ai mal à la tête (zhay mahl ah lah tet) — I have a headache
J’ai mal au cœur (zhay mahl oh kur) — I feel nauseous (literally “my heart hurts”)
Je vais vomir (zhuh vay vuh-MEER) — I’m going to vomit
J’ai mal au ventre (zhay mahl oh VOHNT-ruh) — I have a stomachache
J’ai de la fièvre (zhay duh lah fee-EVR) — I have a fever
Je suis allergique à… (zhuh swee ah-ler-ZHIK ah) — I’m allergic to…
J’ai du diabète (zhay doo dee-ah-BET) — I have diabetes
J’ai une tension artérielle (zhay oon tohn-SYOHN ar-tay-ree-EL) — I have high blood pressure
J’ai une crise d’asthme (zhay oon kreez DAHSM) — I’m having an asthma attack
Je suis diabétique (zhuh swee dee-ah-bay-TEEK) — I’m diabetic
Je prends de l’insuline (zhuh PROHN duh lan-soo-LEEN) — I take insulin
Pharmacy Visits: When You Need Medicine
At the pharmacy (pharmacie):
Pharmacie (far-mah-SEE) — Pharmacy
Pharmacien (far-mah-see-en) — Pharmacist
J’ai besoin d’une ordonnance (zhay buh-ZWAHN doon or-duh-NAHNS) — I need a prescription
J’ai une ordonnance (zhay oon or-duh-NAHNS) — I have a prescription
Avez-vous…? (ah-vay-VOO) — Do you have…?
De l’aspirine (duh lah-spee-RIN) — Aspirin
Du paracétamol (doo par-ah-say-tah-MOHL) — Acetaminophen/paracetamol
Un antiseptique (uhn ahn-tee-SEP-teek) — An antiseptic
Des pansements (day pohn-suh-MOHN) — Bandages
De l’antidiarrhéique (duh lahn-tee-dee-ah-RAY-eek) — Anti-diarrheal medication
Un anti-inflammatoire (uhn ahn-tee-ahn-flah-mah-TWAHR) — An anti-inflammatory
Des antihistaminiques (day ahn-tee-hees-tah-mee-NEEK) — Antihistamines
Une crème pour les brûlures (oon krem poor lay broo-LUR) — Burn cream
Un remède contre le rhume (uhn ruh-MED kohn-truh luh ROOM) — Cold medicine
De la pommade (duh lah puh-MAHD) — Ointment
C’est combien? (seh kohm-bee-en) — How much is it?
Je dois le prendre combien de fois par jour? (zhuh dwah luh PROHN-druh kohm-bee-en duh fwah par zhoor) — How many times a day do I take it?
Avant ou après les repas? (ah-VOHN oo ah-PREH lay ruh-PAH) — Before or after meals?
Avec ou sans nourriture? (ah-VEK oo sohn noo-ree-TUR) — With or without food?
Police Interactions: When You’re in Trouble
Dealing with police:
Je n’ai rien fait (zhuh nay ree-en feh) — I didn’t do anything wrong
Je suis innocent(e) (zhuh swee ee-nuh-SOHN) — I’m innocent
Je peux appeler mon ambassade? (zhuh puh ah-play-ay mohn ahm-bah-SAHD) — Can I call my embassy?
Je veux parler à un avocat (zhuh vuh par-LAY ah uhn ah-vuh-KAH) — I want to speak to a lawyer
Où est le commissariat? (oo eh luh kuh-mee-sah-ree-AH) — Where is the police station?
J’aimerais porter plainte (zheh-muh-RAY por-TAY PLEHNT) — I’d like to file a complaint
Je suis victime (zhuh swee VEEK-teem) — I’m a victim
Qu’est-ce que j’ai fait? (kes-kuh zhay feh) — What did I do wrong?
Je ne comprends pas (zhuh nuh kohm-PROHN pah) — I don’t understand
Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement? (poo-vay-VOO par-LAY ploo lohn-tuh-MOHN) — Can you speak more slowly?
Appelez l’ambassade (ah-play-ay lahm-bah-SAHD) — Call the embassy
If your item is stolen:
J’ai été volé(e) (zhay ay-tay vuh-LAY) — I’ve been robbed
On m’a volé mon portefeuille (ohn mah vuh-LAY mohn port-fuh-yuh) — Someone stole my wallet
On m’a volé mon passeport (ohn mah vuh-LAY mohn pah-suh-POR) — Someone stole my passport
On m’a volé mon téléphone (ohn mah vuh-LAY mohn tay-lay-FOHN) — Someone stole my phone
On m’a volé mon sac (ohn mah vuh-LAY mohn sahk) — Someone stole my bag
Je veux déposer plainte (zhuh vuh day-puh-ZAY PLEHNT) — I want to file a report
Où était-ce? (oo ay-TEH-suh) — Where was it?
À quelle heure? (ah kel ur) — What time?
Pouvez-vous m’aider? (poo-vay-VOO may-day) — Can you help me?
Hospital Vocabulary: Extended Medical Care
Hospital-related:
L’hôpital (loh-pee-TAHL) — Hospital
Les urgences (lay ur-ZHOHS) — Emergency room
Chambre d’hôpital (SHAHM-bruh doh-pee-TAHL) — Hospital room
Le médecin (luh may-duh-SAN) — Doctor
L’infirmière (lan-fer-mee-AIR) — Nurse (female)
L’infirmier (lan-fer-mee-AY) — Nurse (male)
Vous devez rester à l’hôpital (vooz duh-VAY res-TAY ah loh-pee-TAHL) — You need to stay in the hospital
Vous avez besoin d’une intervention chirurgicale (vooz ah-VAY buh-ZWAHN doon ahn-ter-vohn-SYOHN shee-rur-zhee-KAHL) — You need surgery
C’est une radiographie (seh toon rah-dee-oh-grah-FEE) — It’s an X-ray
Un IRM (uhn ee-air-em) — An MRI
Des points de suture (day pwan duh soo-TUR) — Stitches
Un pansement (uhn pohn-suh-MOHN) — A bandage
Un plâtre (uhn PLAH-truh) — A cast
Combien de temps resterai-je? (kohm-bee-en duh tohn res-tuh-RAY-zhuh) — How long will I be staying?
Quand pourrai-je sortir? (kohn poo-RAY-zhuh sor-TEER) — When can I leave?
Quels sont les instructions? (kel sohn lay ahn-struk-SYOHN) — What are the instructions?
Dois-je prendre des médicaments? (dwah-zhuh PROHN-druh day may-dee-kah-MOHN) — Do I need to take medications?
Car Breakdowns and Road Emergencies
If your car breaks down:
Ma voiture est tombée en panne (mah vwah-TOOR eh tuhm-BAY ohn pahn) — My car has broken down
Je suis en panne sur la route (zhuh swee ohn pahn sur lah root) — I’m broken down on the road
Où est le prochain mécanicien? (oo eh luh pruh-SHAHN may-kah-nee-SYAHN) — Where is the nearest mechanic?
Pouvez-vous m’envoyer une dépanneuse? (poo-vay-VOO mohn-vwah-YAY oon day-pah-NUH) — Can you send me a tow truck?
C’est quoi le problème? (seh kwah luh pruh-BLEM) — What’s the problem?
Je n’ai plus d’essence (zhuh nay ploo duh-SAHNS) — I’ve run out of gas
La batterie est morte (lah bah-tuh-REE eh mort) — The battery is dead
J’ai un pneu crevé (zhay uhn pnuh kruh-VAY) — I have a flat tire
Le moteur ne démarre pas (luh muh-TUR nuh day-MAR pah) — The engine won’t start
Je dois appeler un garagiste (zhuh dwah ah-play-ay uhn gah-rah-ZHEE-stuh) — I need to call a mechanic
AAA or ADAC (similar roadside assistance)
Assistance (ah-sees-TAHNCE) — Roadside assistance (call 3615 for breakdown assistance in France)
Natural Disasters and Severe Weather
Emergency weather situations:
Il y a un orage (eel ee ah uhn uh-RAZH) — There’s a thunderstorm
Il y a une tempête (eel ee ah oon tohn-PET) — There’s a storm/gale
Il y a des inondations (eel ee ah day zee-nohn-dah-SYOHN) — There are floods
Évacuez la zone (ay-vah-koo-AY lah zohn) — Evacuate the area
Cherchez un abri (sher-SHAY uhn nah-BREE) — Find shelter
Allez à un étage supérieur (ah-LAY ah uhn nay-TAZH soo-pay-ree-UR) — Go to a higher floor
Fermez les portes et fenêtres (fer-MAY lay port ay fuh-NET) — Close the doors and windows
Restez à l’intérieur (res-TAY ah lan-tay-ree-UR) — Stay inside
Appelez les autorités (ah-play-ay lay zuh-tor-ee-TAY) — Call the authorities
Y a-t-il un refuge? (ee ah-teel uhn ruh-FYUZH) — Is there a shelter?
Insurance and Documentation Phrases
After an accident or incident:
Je veux remplir un rapport (zhuh vuh rahm-PLEER uhn rah-POR) — I want to file a report
Avez-vous une assurance? (ah-vay-VOO oon nah-soo-RAHNS) — Do you have insurance?
Mon numéro de police d’assurance est… (mohn noo-may-ROH duh puh-LEES dah-soo-RAHNS eh) — My insurance policy number is…
Qui est responsable? (kee eh res-pohn-sah-bluh) — Who is responsible?
Appelez mon assurance (ah-play-ay mohn nah-soo-RAHNS) — Call my insurance
J’ai besoin d’une déclaration de sinistre (zhay buh-ZWAHN doon day-klah-rah-SYOHN duh see-NEES-truh) — I need to file an insurance claim
Où puis-je obtenir les formulaires? (oo pwee-zhuh uhb-tuh-NEER lay for-moo-LAIR) — Where can I get the forms?
C’est pour mon assurance (seh poor mohn nah-soo-RAHNS) — This is for my insurance
J’ai besoin d’une copie du rapport (zhay buh-ZWAHN doon kuh-PEE doo rah-POR) — I need a copy of the report
Embassy and Consulate Contacts
Contacting your embassy:
Je dois contacter mon ambassade (zhuh dwah kohn-tahk-TAY mohn nahm-bah-SAHD) — I need to contact my embassy
Où est le consulat américain? (oo eh luh kohn-soo-LAH ah-may-ree-KAN) — Where is the American consulate? (replace country as needed)
Je dois parler au consul (zhuh dwah par-LAY oh kohn-SUL) — I need to speak to the consul
Mon passeport a été volé (mohn pah-suh-POR ah ay-tay vuh-LAY) — My passport was stolen
Je dois renouveler mon passeport (zhuh dwah ruh-noo-vuh-LAY mohn pah-suh-POR) — I need to renew my passport
Je suis citoyen(ne) de… (zhuh swee see-twah-YAN duh) — I’m a citizen of…
Appelle l’ambassade (ah-pell lahm-bah-SAHD) — Call the embassy
Y a-t-il quelqu’un qui parle anglais? (ee ah-teel kel-kuhn kee parl ahn-GLEH) — Is there anyone who speaks English?
Key embassy contact info (note these before traveling):
Write down the address, phone number, and emergency contact for your country’s embassy in Paris and any major city you’re visiting.
Asking for Help from Strangers
If you need help from a regular person:
Excusez-moi, pouvez-vous m’aider? (ex-KOO-zay-mwah, poo-vay-VOO may-day) — Excuse me, can you help me?
J’ai un problème (zhay uhn pruh-BLEM) — I have a problem
Je suis perdu(e) (zhuh swee pair-DOO) — I’m lost
Je suis malade (zhuh swee mah-LAHD) — I’m sick
Pouvez-vous appeler quelqu’un? (poo-vay-VOO ah-play-ay kel-kuhn) — Can you call someone for me?
Y a-t-il une pharmacie près d’ici? (ee ah-teel oon far-mah-SEE preh dee-SEE) — Is there a pharmacy nearby?
Y a-t-il un hôpital près d’ici? (ee ah-teel uhn noh-pee-TAHL preh dee-SEE) — Is there a hospital nearby?
Pouvez-vous me montrer sur la carte? (poo-vay-VOO muh mohn-TRAY sur lah KART) — Can you show me on the map?
Merci beaucoup pour votre aide (mare-SEE boh-KOO pour vuh-truh ed) — Thank you so much for your help
Vous êtes très gentil(le) (vooz et treh zhohn-TEEL) — You’re very kind
Final Thoughts on Emergency Preparedness
France is a safe country and emergencies are rare, but being prepared with French vocabulary for emergencies gives you confidence and can help you communicate clearly when it matters most.
Before you travel:
- Write down key numbers: Embassy, your insurance company, emergency numbers
- Get travel insurance: Make sure it covers medical emergencies
- Carry copies: Keep copies of your passport and important documents separate from originals
- Learn your allergies: Know how to say your allergies in French
- Tell someone: Let a family member or friend know where you’re traveling and how to reach you
- Download an offline translator: In case your phone dies or there’s no service
The French emergency services are excellent and professional. Even if your French isn’t perfect, emergency service workers are trained to help non-French speakers. But making the effort to communicate in French can sometimes speed things up and make the situation less stressful.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and hope you never need these phrases. But if you do, you’ll be glad you know them.
Leave a Reply