French Phrase
Comment aider quelqu'un qui s'étouffe ?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the steps or methods to assist a person who is choking. It is a practical, urgent question often heard in emergency or first‑aid contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when you witness someone struggling to breathe because an object is blocking their airway, or when you need to ask a by‑stander for advice on how to intervene safely.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Commentaiderquelqu'unquis'étouffe?
Comment
Interrogative adverb meaning 'how'. It introduces a question about manner or method.
aider
Infinitive verb meaning 'to help'. In questions it follows the interrogative word directly.
quelqu'un
Indefinite pronoun meaning 'someone' or 'somebody'.
qui
Relative pronoun that links the clause 'qui s'étouffe' to the noun 'quelqu'un'.
s'étouffer
Reflexive verb meaning 'to choke'. In the present indicative third‑person singular it becomes 's'étouffe'.
🗨In Conversation
Comment aider quelqu'un qui s'étouffe ?
How do you help someone who is choking?
Il faut d'abord appeler le 112, puis pratiquer la manœuvre de Heimlich si la personne est debout.
First call 112, then perform the Heimlich maneuver if the person is standing.
✕Common Mistakes
Comment aider à quelqu'un qui s'étouffe ?
When the verb ‘aider’ is followed directly by another infinitive, you do NOT use ‘à’. The correct form is ‘aider quelqu’un à…’, but here ‘aider’ is the main verb of the question.
Comment aider quelqu'un qui s'étouffait ?
The present tense ‘s'étouffe’ describes the current choking. Using the imperfect ‘s'étouffait’ would imply a past, ongoing situation, which is not appropriate for an immediate emergency.
Comment aider quelqu'un s'étouffe ?
Do not omit the relative pronoun ‘qui’; it links the clause to ‘quelqu'un’. Without it the sentence is ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Comment secourir une personne qui s'étouffe ?
How to rescue a person who is choking?
Quelles sont les gestes à faire quand quelqu'un s'étouffe ?
What actions should be taken when someone is choking?
Que faire si quelqu'un s'étouffe ?
What to do if someone is choking?
Cultural Tip
In France, the emergency number is 112 (or 15 for SAMU). When someone is choking, French first‑aid training emphasizes the Heimlich maneuver (la manœuvre de Heimlich) for adults and back blows for infants. It’s polite to ask “Vous avez besoin d’aide ?” before intervening, unless the situation is clearly life‑threatening.