Italian Phrase
Ho un'emergenza.
Meaning
Literally ‘I have an emergency’, this sentence signals that the speaker is in an urgent, potentially dangerous situation that needs immediate attention.
When to use
Use it when you need help quickly—at a hospital, with police, or any moment you must alert others that something serious is happening.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Houn'emergenza.
Ho (present of avere)
‘Ho’ is the first‑person singular present of the verb ‘avere’, meaning ‘I have’.
Un' (elided indefinite article)
Because ‘emergenza’ starts with a vowel, the indefinite article ‘una’ elides to ‘un’’, written with an apostrophe.
Emergenza (feminine noun)
‘Emergenza’ is a feminine noun meaning ‘emergency’; it takes the article ‘un’' in the singular.
🗨In Conversation
Ho un'emergenza, mi può aiutare?
I have an emergency, can you help me?
Certo, chiamiamo subito un'ambulanza.
Of course, let's call an ambulance right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Ho una emergenza.
The indefinite article must elide before a vowel; use ‘un'’ not ‘una’.
Sono un'emergenza.
‘Essere’ (to be) is not used for possession; you need ‘avere’ (to have).
Ho un emergenza.
Missing the apostrophe after ‘un’; the correct form is ‘un'’.
↔Alternatives
C'è un'emergenza.
There's an emergency.
Devo andare subito all'ospedale.
I need to go to the hospital right away.
Mi serve aiuto immediato.
I need immediate help.
Cultural Tip
In Italy the universal emergency number is 112, but for medical emergencies many people still dial 118. When you say ‘Ho un'emergenza’, keep a calm tone and be ready to give details (location, nature of the problem) to the operator.