Italian Phrase
Come aiutare qualcuno che sta soffocando?
Meaning
The sentence asks for instructions on how to assist a person who is currently choking. It is used in urgent, emergency contexts where immediate action is required to prevent suffocation.
When to use
Use this phrase when you witness or are informed that someone is choking and you need to know the correct first‑aid steps, such as performing the Heimlich maneuver or calling emergency services.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Comeaiutarequalcunochestasoffocando?
Come + infinitive
‘Come’ followed by an infinitive verb forms a question asking ‘how to…’.
Relative clause ‘che sta soffocando’
‘che’ introduces a present progressive clause describing the current state of the person.
Verb ‘soffocare’ in gerund
The gerund ‘soffocando’ expresses an ongoing action, similar to ‘choking’ in English.
🗨In Conversation
C’è una persona che sta soffocando!
There's a person who is choking!
Come aiutare qualcuno che sta soffocando?
How do we help someone who is choking?
✕Common Mistakes
Come aiutare a qualcuno che sta soffocando?
The preposition ‘a’ is not used after ‘aiutare’ when the object is a person; just ‘aiutare qualcuno’.
Come aiutare qualcuno che soffoca?
Using the simple present ‘soffoca’ loses the sense of an ongoing emergency; the gerund ‘soffocando’ is required.
↔Alternatives
Come intervenire se qualcuno sta soffocando?
How to intervene if someone is choking?
Cosa fare quando qualcuno soffoca?
What to do when someone is choking?
Qual è il modo corretto per aiutare chi sta soffocando?
What is the correct way to help someone who is choking?
Cultural Tip
In Italy the emergency number is 112 (or 118 for medical emergencies). When someone is choking, the recommended first‑aid technique is the Heimlich maneuver (manovra di Heimlich). It’s common to shout “Aiuto! Qualcuno sta soffocando!” to alert bystanders and quickly call 112. Remember to stay calm and act decisively – Italian culture values prompt, direct action in emergencies.