Italian Phrase
Cosa si fa prima in caso di emergenza?
Meaning
Literally, “What does one do first in case of an emergency?” It asks for the first step to take when an unexpected, urgent situation occurs.
When to use
Use this question when you need to clarify safety procedures, such as during a fire drill, a first‑aid course, or when traveling to a new country and you want to know the local emergency protocol.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cosasifaprimaincasodiemergenza?
Cosa
Interrogative pronoun meaning “what”. It can be used alone or with a verb to ask about an action or object.
si fa (impersonal/passive)
The construction “si fa” is the impersonal form of “fare”. It translates to “one does” or “is done”, avoiding a specific subject.
prima
Adverb meaning “first” or “before anything else”. Placed before the verb phrase to indicate priority.
in caso di + noun
A set phrase meaning “in case of”. It introduces a hypothetical situation.
emergenza
Noun meaning “emergency”. Often used in safety instructions and first‑aid contexts.
🗨In Conversation
Cosa si fa prima in caso di emergenza?
What do you do first in an emergency?
Prima di tutto, chiama il 112 e poi cerca di mettere tutti al sicuro.
First of all, call 112 and then try to get everyone to safety.
✕Common Mistakes
Che si fa prima in caso di emergenza?
“Che” is used for “what” when it modifies a noun (e.g., “che cosa”), but the standalone interrogative “Cosa” is more natural here.
Cosa fai prima in caso di emergenza?
Using the second‑person singular “fai” makes the question personal (“What do you do?”). The impersonal “si fa” keeps the question general.
Cosa si fa primo in caso di emergenza?
“Primo” is an adjective and needs a noun (e.g., “primo passo”). The adverb “prima” correctly modifies the verb phrase.
↔Alternatives
Cosa bisogna fare prima in caso di emergenza?
What must be done first in case of an emergency?
Qual è il primo passo da fare in caso di emergenza?
What is the first step to take in case of an emergency?
Che cosa si deve fare prima in caso di emergenza?
What should one do first in an emergency?
Cultural Tip
In Italy the emergency number is 112 (EU-wide) or 118 for medical emergencies. When you call, stay calm, speak clearly, and give your exact location. Italians appreciate a brief “Per favore, aiuto!” (Please, help!) before describing the situation.