Portuguese Phrase
Tenho uma emergência.
Meaning
Literally, ‘I have an emergency.’ It is used to announce that something urgent or dangerous is happening and that immediate help is needed.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to alert someone—friends, colleagues, or authorities—that you are facing a sudden, serious problem, such as a medical issue, a fire, or a safety threat.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenhoumaemergência
Ter (presente do indicativo)
‘Tenho’ is the first‑person singular present form of the verb ‘ter’, meaning ‘to have’.
Indefinite article ‘uma’
‘uma’ agrees in gender and number with the feminine noun that follows; it means ‘a’ or ‘an’.
Noun ‘emergência’
‘emergência’ is a feminine noun meaning ‘emergency’; it is used for urgent, unexpected situations.
🗨In Conversation
Tenho uma emergência.
I have an emergency.
O que aconteceu? Precisa de ajuda?
What happened? Do you need help?
✕Common Mistakes
Tenho um emergência.
‘Emergência’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘uma’, not ‘um’.
Há uma emergência.
‘Há’ means ‘there is/are’; it changes the subject. Use ‘Tenho’ when you are the one experiencing the emergency.
Tô uma emergência.
‘Tô’ is colloquial for ‘estou’; it means ‘I am’, not ‘I have’. The correct verb for possession is ‘ter’.
↔Alternatives
Estou em uma situação de emergência.
I’m in an emergency situation.
Preciso de ajuda imediatamente.
I need help immediately.
É uma emergência!
It’s an emergency!
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the official emergency number for medical assistance is 192 (SAMU). When you say ‘Tenho uma emergência’, it’s common to follow up with the specific type of emergency and, if possible, your location. Brazilians tend to be very direct in urgent situations, but it’s polite to stay calm and give clear information.