French Phrase
C'est quoi le numéro d'urgence ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for the phone number to call in an emergency. It is a casual, everyday way to request the number that connects you to police, medical services, or fire brigade.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are abroad, in a hotel, or with locals and you need the local emergency contact number. It works well in informal conversations; in formal settings you might prefer "Quel est le numéro d'urgence ?".
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estquoilenumérod'urgence?
C'est + quoi
In spoken French, "C'est quoi" is an informal way to ask "What is..."; it places the interrogative pronoun after the copula.
Le + noun + d' + noun
The phrase "le numéro d'urgence" uses the partitive "d'" to link two nouns, meaning "the emergency number".
Question mark
Even though the sentence is spoken, the written form ends with a question mark to indicate interrogation.
🗨In Conversation
C'est quoi le numéro d'urgence ?
What is the emergency number?
En France c'est le 112, mais on peut aussi appeler le 15 pour les urgences médicales.
In France it's 112, but you can also call 15 for medical emergencies.
✕Common Mistakes
Quel le numéro d'urgence ?
Do not combine "Quel" directly with "le"; the correct form is "Quel est le".
C'est quoi le numéro d'urgence
Missing the question mark makes the sentence look like a statement; always end with "?" for a question.
C'est quoi le numéro d'urgence ? (to a police officer)
In formal situations, replace the informal "C'est quoi" with "Quel est".
↔Alternatives
Quel est le numéro d'urgence ?
What is the emergency number?
C'est quel numéro d'urgence ?
Which number is the emergency one?
Pouvez-vous me donner le numéro d'urgence, s'il vous plaît ?
Could you give me the emergency number, please?
Cultural Tip
In France the universal EU emergency number is 112, but you will also hear 15 (medical), 17 (police) and 18 (fire). When calling, stay calm, speak clearly, and say "J'ai besoin d'aide" (I need help). Using "s'il vous plaît" before the request makes it sound polite, especially with strangers or officials.