Italian Phrase
Chiama i soccorsi.
Meaning
A direct command meaning ‘Call the emergency services.’ It is used when an urgent situation requires immediate help from police, ambulance, or fire brigade.
When to use
Use this phrase in any emergency – a medical crisis, a fire, a car accident, or when someone is in danger and you need professional assistance right away.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Chiamaisoccorsi
Imperative (2nd person singular)
‘Chiama’ is the imperative form of the verb ‘chiamare’ used to give a direct command to ‘you’ (informal).
Definite article (plural masculine)
‘i’ is the plural masculine definite article, matching the noun ‘soccorsi’.
Noun ‘soccorsi’
‘soccorsi’ is the plural of ‘soccorso’, meaning ‘rescue’ or ‘emergency services’ (ambulance, police, fire).
🗨In Conversation
C’è un incendio in cucina!
There's a fire in the kitchen!
Chiama i soccorsi!
Call the emergency services!
✕Common Mistakes
Chiami i soccorsi.
‘Chiami’ is the present subjunctive, not the imperative. Use ‘Chiama’ for a direct command.
Chiama i soccorso.
‘Soccorso’ is singular; the phrase requires the plural ‘soccorsi’ to refer to the services.
Chiama i soccorsi subito.
While not grammatically wrong, native speakers usually place ‘subito’ before the verb: ‘Subito chiama i soccorsi.’
↔Alternatives
Chiama il 112.
Call 112.
Chiama l'ambulanza.
Call the ambulance.
Contatta i soccorsi immediatamente.
Contact emergency services immediately.
Cultural Tip
In Italy the universal emergency number is 112 (EU standard). For medical emergencies you can also dial 118, police 113, and fire 115. Native speakers often say ‘Chiama il 112’ or ‘Chiama il 118’ instead of the generic ‘Chiama i soccorsi.’ The imperative ‘Chiama’ is informal; in a formal setting you would use ‘Chiami’ (e.g., ‘Chiami i soccorsi, per favore’).