Portuguese Phrase
Qual é o número de emergência?
Meaning
This question asks someone to provide the phone number that should be dialed in case of an emergency, such as police, ambulance, or fire services. It is a direct, polite way to request vital safety information.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are traveling, moving to a new city, or simply need to confirm the local emergency contact number. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings, but always keep a respectful tone because the topic is serious.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Qualéonúmerodeemergência?
Qual (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' or 'which' and is followed by the verb 'ser' in questions.
é (ser, 3rd person singular)
The present tense of the verb 'ser' meaning 'is'; used for identification.
o (definite article)
Masculine singular article that agrees with the noun 'número'.
número (noun)
Means 'number'; masculine, so it takes the article 'o'.
de (preposition)
Links nouns; here it connects 'número' with the type of number – 'emergência'.
emergência (noun)
Means 'emergency'; used as a noun to describe the kind of number being asked for.
🗨In Conversation
Qual é o número de emergência?
What is the emergency number?
No Brasil, o número da polícia é 190, da ambulância 192 e dos bombeiros 193.
In Brazil, the police number is 190, the ambulance is 192, and the fire brigade is 193.
✕Common Mistakes
Qual é o número de emergências?
‘Emergências’ is plural and does not match the singular noun ‘número’. Use ‘emergência’.
Qual é o número de emergência
Missing the question mark and intonation can make it sound like a statement. Always end with a rising intonation or a ‘?’ in writing.
Qual está o número de emergência?
Some learners replace ‘é’ with ‘está’, which is incorrect because ‘ser’ is used for identification, not location.
↔Alternatives
Qual é o telefone de emergência?
What is the emergency phone number?
Qual o número de emergência?
What’s the emergency number?
Qual o número de telefone para emergências?
What is the phone number for emergencies?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, there isn’t a single universal emergency number; each service has its own (190 for police, 192 for ambulance, 193 for fire). In Portugal, the EU-wide 112 works for all emergencies. When you ask for the number, locals often respond with the specific service numbers, so be ready to note them down. Using a polite tone (e.g., adding ‘por favor’) is appreciated, especially when speaking with officials or in a formal setting.