Italian Phrase
Metti una persona incosciente su un fianco.
Meaning
The instruction tells someone to place an unconscious person on their side, a first‑aid position that helps keep the airway open and prevents choking. It’s a direct, imperative sentence used in emergency or medical contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving or receiving first‑aid instructions, such as in a classroom role‑play, a safety briefing, or an actual emergency situation where you need to move an unconscious individual safely.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Mettiunapersonaincoscientesuunfianco
Imperative (tu)
Metti is the second‑person singular imperative of "mettere"; it gives a direct command.
Indefinite article (una)
Una is the feminine singular indefinite article, matching "persona" which is always feminine.
Adjective agreement
Incosciente agrees in gender and number with "persona" (feminine singular).
Preposition su + article
Use "su" followed by the indefinite article "un" to indicate location: "su un fianco".
🗨In Conversation
C'è una persona incosciente sul pavimento!
There's an unconscious person on the floor!
Metti una persona incosciente su un fianco.
Lay the unconscious person on their side.
✕Common Mistakes
Metti una persona inconscio su un fianco.
Do not confuse with "inconscio" (unconscious) which is less common in spoken Italian.
Metti una persona incosciente in un fianco.
The preposition "su" is required; "in" would be incorrect.
Metti un persona incosciente su un fianco.
If you know the gender, you can use "un uomo" or "una donna"; otherwise "una persona" is neutral and preferred.
↔Alternatives
Posiziona la persona incosciente sul fianco.
Position the unconscious person on the side.
Metti la persona incosciente in posizione laterale.
Put the unconscious person in the lateral position.
Falla rotolare sul fianco per aprire le vie aeree.
Roll them onto their side to open the airway.
Cultural Tip
In Italian first‑aid training, the phrase "mettere una persona incosciente su un fianco" is part of the standard "posizione di recupero" (recovery position). It’s taught in schools and by the Italian Red Cross. Remember that the tone should be calm and authoritative; shouting can increase panic in an emergency.