CEFR A1-A2
Mandarin Emergency Phrases: Medical, Police, and Lost Documents
These are the phrases every Mandarin-speaking traveller should learn and hope never to need. They cover medical emergencies, calling the police, reporting lost or stolen items. Always carry the local emergency number and your country's embassy contact details. Chinese emergency services have improved significantly in the 2010s and 2020s; emergency response in major cities is competent and fast.
Help!
Jiùmìng a! (!)
IPA [tɕjoʊ˥˩miŋ˥˩ a]
jiùmìng a
Universal shout-for-help, literally 'save life!'. The neutral 'a' at the end softens it into an emotional exclamation.
Call an ambulance!
Jiào jiùhùchē! (!)
IPA [tɕjaʊ˥˩ tɕjoʊ˥˩xu˥˩ʈʂʰɤ˥]
jiào jiùhùchē
Emergency number in mainland China: 120 for medical. Taiwan: 119. Hong Kong: 999 or 112.
I need a doctor.
Wǒ xūyào yīshēng. (.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ ɕy˥jaʊ˥˩ i˥ʂəŋ˥]
wǒ xūyào yīshēng
Standard phrasing. 'Yīshēng' (医生) is doctor; 'xūyào' (需要) is need.
I need to go to the hospital.
Wǒ yào qù yīyuàn. (.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ jaʊ˥˩ tɕʰy˥˩ i˥ɥɛn˥˩]
wǒ yào qù yīyuàn
'Yīyuàn' (医院) is the hospital, a full medical facility. Use this rather than 'zhěnsuǒ' (诊所, clinic) for any emergency.
I am allergic to [substance].
Wǒ duì [substance] guòmǐn. (...敏.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ tweɪ˥˩ ... kwo˥˩min˨˩˦]
wǒ duì... guòmǐn
Crucial in any medical context. Common allergies: 青霉素 (qīngméisù, penicillin), 花生 (huāshēng, peanuts), 海鲜 (hǎixiān, seafood), 花粉 (huāfěn, pollen).
I have a serious medical condition.
Wǒ yǒu yánzhòng de yīliáo zhuàngkuàng. (疗状.)
IPA [wo˧˥ joʊ˨˩˦ jɛn˧˥ʈʂʊŋ˥˩ tɤ i˥ljaʊ˧˥ ʈʂwaŋ˥˩kʰwaŋ˥˩]
wó yǒu yánzhòng de yīliáo zhuàngkuàng
Open with this if you need to flag a chronic condition (diabetes, heart condition, epilepsy) before treatment. Note the tone sandhi: 'wǒ yǒu' (third + third) is pronounced 'wó yǒu' in running speech.
Call the police!
Bàojǐng! (!)
IPA [paʊ˥˩tɕiŋ˨˩˦]
bàojǐng
Universal phrase. Emergency number for police: 110 in mainland China, 110 in Taiwan, 999 in Hong Kong.
I have been robbed.
Wǒ bèi qiǎngjié le. (抢劫.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ peɪ˥˩ tɕʰjaŋ˨˩˦tɕjɛ˧˥ lɤ]
wǒ bèi qiǎngjié le
Standard report phrase using the 'bèi' passive.
Someone stole my wallet.
Yǒu rén tōu le wǒ de qiánbāo. (包.)
IPA [joʊ˨˩˦ ʐən˧˥ tʰoʊ˥ lɤ wo˨˩˦ tɤ tɕʰjɛn˧˥paʊ˥]
yǒu rén tōu le wǒ de qiánbāo
'Qiánbāo' (钱包, literally 'money bag') is the wallet.
I have lost my passport.
Wǒ de hùzhào diū le. (.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ tɤ xu˥˩ʈʂaʊ˥˩ tjoʊ˥ lɤ]
wǒ de hùzhào diū le
Go to your country's embassy or consulate. The embassy will issue an emergency travel document. 'Diū le' (lost it) is the universal way to report any lost item.
Where is the British / American / Australian embassy?
Yīngguó / Měiguó / Àodàlìyà dàshǐguǎn zài nǎlǐ? (英 / / 澳亚馆?)
IPA [iŋ˥kwo˧˥ / meɪ˨˩˦kwo˧˥ / aʊ˥˩ta˥˩li˥˩ja˥˩ ta˥˩ʂʐ̩˨˩˦kwan˨˩˦ tsaɪ˥˩ na˨˩˦li˨˩˦]
Yīngguó / Měiguó / Àodàlìyà dàshǐguǎn zài nǎlǐ
'Dàshǐguǎn' (大使馆) is embassy; 'lǐngshìguǎn' (领事馆) is consulate. Note the tone sandhi: 'měiguó' is third + second so the third stays; 'nǎlǐ' (third + third) is pronounced 'náli' in running speech.
I do not feel well.
Wǒ gǎnjué bù shūfu. (.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ kan˨˩˦tɕɥɛ˧˥ pu˥˩ ʂu˥fu]
wǒ gǎnjué bù shūfu
General-purpose opener for any unwellness conversation.
It hurts here.
Zhèlǐ téng. (疼.)
IPA [ʈʂɤ˥˩li˨˩˦ tʰəŋ˧˥]
zhèlǐ téng
Point to the location. 'Téng' is the everyday word for pain; 'tòng' (痛, fourth tone) is the more formal equivalent.
I am injured.
Wǒ shòushāng le. (.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ ʂoʊ˥˩ʂaŋ˥ lɤ]
wǒ shòushāng le
Universal phrase for any injury.
Could you help me, please?
Qǐng bāng ge máng. (.)
IPA [tɕʰiŋ˨˩˦ paŋ˥ kɤ maŋ˧˥]
qǐng bāng ge máng
Polite opener for any emergency where you need a stranger's help. Pairs naturally with the specific request that follows.
Regional notes
Mainland China
Emergency numbers: 110 (police), 120 (medical), 119 (fire), 122 (traffic accident). Mainland emergency dispatchers may not speak English; have your hotel concierge call on your behalf if possible. Chinese hospitals are typically faster at private (foreign-friendly) hospitals than at public ones; if you have travel insurance, ask the embassy for the recommended foreign-friendly hospital. The UK and US embassies maintain lists of hospitals their citizens are referred to.
Taiwan
Emergency numbers: 110 (police), 119 (medical and fire). Taiwanese emergency dispatchers in Taipei generally speak some English; outside Taipei, expect Mandarin only. Taiwanese hospitals are well-equipped and Taiwan's healthcare system covers emergency treatment for foreign visitors at standard rates.
Hong Kong
Emergency number: 999 (police, fire, medical), or 112 from European-issued mobile phones. Hong Kong's emergency services operate bilingually in Cantonese and English by default; Mandarin is also widely understood. The public hospitals provide emergency treatment for foreign visitors and bill afterwards; private hospitals charge significantly more but offer faster access.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
What is the emergency number in mainland China?
110 (police), 120 (medical), 119 (fire). The Western 911 model is not used in mainland China; each emergency type has its own number. If unsure, 110 (police) will redirect.
Will I be charged for emergency medical treatment as a foreign visitor in mainland China?
Yes. Mainland Chinese hospitals charge foreign visitors at the full private-rate prices; payment is usually expected at the time of treatment, not afterwards. Travel insurance is essential; without it, a hospital admission can cost several thousand US dollars.
How do I ask for a translator at a Chinese hospital?
Qǐng zhǎo yí ge fānyì (请找一个翻译, please find a translator). Note the tone sandhi: 'yī' (一, one) becomes 'yí' before a fourth-tone syllable. Major international hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other tier-one cities have access to telephone-interpretation services in major languages. Outside these cities, the answer is often to communicate via a translation app on your phone.
What is the difference between 'yīyuàn' and 'zhěnsuǒ'?
'Yīyuàn' (医院) is the hospital, a full medical facility with emergency department. 'Zhěnsuǒ' (诊所) is a clinic, smaller, walk-in, suitable for non-emergency complaints. For emergencies, always go to a 'yīyuàn'.