Survival scene course
Emergency Chinese Phrases
Use these emergency Chinese phrases when you need urgent help, police, a phone, a passport, or a contact person.
Save these before traveling. They are short, direct, and designed for stressful situations.
Start with the phrases that matter first
Use the shortest request that identifies the help you need, together with your current location. Do not complete a learning exercise before seeking urgent assistance.
In a real conversation
The first line reports a lost passport, not confirmed theft. The other person offers to call the police, and the final request accepts that offer; it does not describe a replacement process.
wǒ de hù zhào diū le.
I lost my passport.
xū yào wǒ bāng nǐ bào jǐng ma?
Would you like me to call the police?
qǐng bāng wǒ bào jǐng.
Please call the police for me.
How this scene usually goes
In an emergency, use short phrases to get attention and name the problem. 救命 is for urgent danger; 我需要帮助 is a general request for help. Follow with one clear statement such as 我的护照丢了, 我受伤了, or 请报警, and give your location. In mainland China, call 120 for a medical emergency, 110 for police, and 119 for fire. Hotel or station staff may help you communicate, but do not delay urgent assistance while looking for an English speaker. For a lost passport, follow the local police and your embassy or consulate's instructions. Save these phrases before travel so the Chinese text is available when speaking is difficult.
Good to know
- In mainland China, the emergency numbers are 110 for police, 120 for medical emergencies, and 119 for fire. Numbers differ in other jurisdictions. If a call does not connect, ask someone nearby or staff to call from a local phone.
- English support can vary. State the service needed and your exact location, including a street address, building, floor, or nearby landmark when available.
- Keep your hotel's Chinese address and phone number available offline. Avoid putting passport details or other sensitive identity information on a public lock screen.
- Keep a protected copy of your travel documents and your embassy or consulate's contact details. Copies may help with reporting a loss, but replacement procedures and required documents vary.
Mainland China emergency number reference: Beijing government emergency guide. Language support only; seek professional help in an emergency.
Common mistakes
- Do not bury emergency phrases inside a long study list. Save them separately.
- Do not use polite complexity when urgent. 救命 and 请报警 are clear.
- Do not forget passport, phone, and address phrases when traveling.
Quick practice
- Save 救命, 请报警, and 我的护照丢了.
- Listen once slowly and once normally.
- Practice saying each phrase clearly without rushing.
Related scenes
Emergency Chinese FAQ
How do I say help in Chinese?
Say 救命 in an urgent emergency, or 帮助 for help as a noun.
How do I ask someone to call the police?
Say 请报警.
Should beginners memorize emergency Chinese?
Yes. It is one of the most practical parts of survival Chinese.
What number do I call for an ambulance?
In mainland China, call 120 for a medical emergency, 110 for police, and 119 for fire. Give your exact location. If your phone cannot connect, ask a nearby person or staff member to call; do not assume every roaming connection works.
How do I say I lost my phone?
Say 我的手机丢了 (wǒ de shǒu jī diū le). If the phone was stolen, say 我的手机被偷了 and report it at the nearest police station.
Advertisement
More useful emergency phrases
Keep learning
Chinese Emergency Phrases for Travelers: Give a current location with a specific request for assistance.
Chinese Doctor and Health Phrases: Request care and ask for clarification without pretending to understand medical instructions.
Emergency numbers in mainland China
- 110
- Police
- 120
- Medical emergency
- 119
- Fire
Looking for a different word? Search the full practice library.