Spanish for emergencies and health

Getting help now

• ¡Ayuda!Help!Say it: ah-YOO-dah
• Es una emergenciaIt's an emergencySay it: ehs OO-nah eh-mehr-HEHN-syah
• Llame a una ambulanciaCall an ambulanceSay it: YAH-meh ah OO-nah ahm-boo-LAHN-syah
• Llame a la policíaCall the policeSay it: YAH-meh ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah
• ¿Dónde está el hospital?Where is the hospital?Say it: DOHN-deh ehs-TAH ehl ohs-pee-TAHL

Numbers checked October 2026. Peru is moving to a single 911 number, so check before you travel.

At the doctor

• Necesito un médicoI need a doctorSay it: neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh
• No me siento bienI don't feel wellSay it: noh meh SYEHN-toh byehn
• Me duele aquíIt hurts hereSay it: meh DWEH-leh ah-KEE
• Me duele la cabeza / el estómagoI have a headache / stomachacheSay it: meh DWEH-leh lah kah-BEH-sah / ehl ehs-TOH-mah-goh
• Tengo fiebreI have a feverSay it: TEHN-goh FYEH-breh
• Soy alérgico a la penicilinaI'm allergic to penicillinSay it: soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh ah lah peh-nee-see-LEE-nahA woman says alérgica.
• Tengo diabetes / asmaI have diabetes / asthmaSay it: TEHN-goh dyah-BEH-tehs / AHS-mah
• Estoy embarazadaI'm pregnantSay it: ehs-TOY ehm-bah-rah-SAH-dah

At the pharmacy

• ¿Dónde está la farmacia?Where is the pharmacy?Say it: DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah fahr-MAH-syah
• ¿Tiene algo para…?Do you have something for…?Say it: TYEH-neh AHL-goh PAH-rah
• …el dolor de cabeza / la diarrea / las picaduras…headache / diarrhea / insect bitesSay it: ehl doh-LOHR deh kah-BEH-sah / lah dyah-RREH-ah / lahs pee-kah-DOO-rahs
• ¿Cada cuántas horas lo tomo?How often do I take it?Say it: KAH-dah KWAHN-tahs OH-rahs loh TOH-moh

Pharmacists in Spain and Latin America are a great first stop for minor problems. Look for the green cross (Spain) or the word Farmacia.

Lost or stolen things

• He perdido mi pasaporteI've lost my passportSay it: eh pehr-DEE-doh mee pah-sah-POHR-teh
• Me robaron la carteraMy wallet was stolenSay it: meh roh-BAH-rohn lah kahr-TEH-rah
• Necesito un informe policialI need a police reportSay it: neh-seh-SEE-toh oon een-FOHR-meh poh-lee-SYAHLInsurance companies usually ask for one.
• ¿Dónde está la embajada de mi país?Where is my country's embassy?Say it: DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah ehm-bah-HAH-dah deh mee pah-EES
• No entiendo. ¿Habla inglés?I don't understand. Do you speak English?Say it: noh ehn-TYEHN-doh. AH-blah een-GLEHS

Before you go: make Show cards in the Travel Kit for your allergies, medicines and hotel address, and keep a photo of your passport on your phone.