French Phrase
Appelle les urgences.
Meaning
Literally ‘Call the emergency services.’ It is a direct, urgent command used when someone needs immediate medical, police, or fire assistance.
When to use
Use this phrase the moment you witness an accident, a sudden illness, a fire, or any situation that requires immediate help from emergency responders.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Appellelesurgences.
Imperative (tu)
Appelle is the second‑person singular (tu) imperative of the verb appeler; drop the final -s for regular -er verbs, but keep it here for phonetic reasons.
Definite article (les)
Les is the plural definite article, used because urgences is a plural noun.
Noun (urgences)
Urgences is a feminine plural noun meaning ‘emergency services’ (ambulance, police, fire).
Politeness level
In formal or plural contexts you would use the vous‑imperative: Appelez les urgences.
🗨In Conversation
Appelle les urgences !
Call emergency services!
Je le fais tout de suite.
I’m doing it right now.
✕Common Mistakes
Appeler les urgences.
Appeler is the infinitive; you need the imperative form to give a command.
Appelle les urgence.
Urgence is singular; the phrase refers to the services as a plural concept.
Appelle les urgences ?
A question mark changes the tone; use a period or exclamation for a command.
↔Alternatives
Appelez les urgences.
Call the emergency services. (formal / plural)
Compose le 112.
Dial 112.
Appelle le 15.
Call 15 (medical emergency number in France).
Appelez les secours.
Call the rescue services.
Cultural Tip
In France the universal EU emergency number is 112, but people often use the specific services numbers: 15 for SAMU (medical), 17 for police, and 18 for fire. Saying “les urgences” is understood as a request for any of these services, especially medical. In a formal setting or when speaking to strangers, use the vous‑imperative (Appelez).