Spanish Phrase
Llama a emergencias ya.
Meaning
A direct, urgent command telling someone to call the emergency services immediately. The phrase conveys both the action (calling) and the urgency (right now).
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to alert someone that an emergency is happening and they must dial the emergency number without delay – for example, a fire, a medical crisis, or a violent incident.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Llamaaemergenciasya
Imperative (tú) of *llamar*
The verb *llamar* drops the final *-r* and adds *-a* for the informal second‑person singular command: *llama* = “call!”.
Preposition *a* before a direct object
When the object is a person, organization, or service, Spanish uses *a* (e.g., *llama a emergencias*).
*Emergencias* (plural noun)
Refers to emergency services (police, fire, ambulance). It is used in the plural even when you intend a single service.
*Ya* – adverb of immediacy
*Ya* means “now” or “right away”, adding urgency to the command.
🗨In Conversation
¡Hay un incendio en la cocina!
There's a fire in the kitchen!
Llama a emergencias ya.
Call emergency services now.
✕Common Mistakes
Llama emergencias ya.
Missing the preposition *a*; Spanish requires *a* before the service name.
Llama a la emergencias ya.
The article *la* is unnecessary because *emergencias* is used without an article in this idiom.
Llamar a emergencias ya.
Using the infinitive *llamar* instead of the imperative form *llama* makes the sentence a suggestion, not a command.
↔Alternatives
Llama a los servicios de emergencia ahora.
Call the emergency services now.
Marca el 911 inmediatamente.
Dial 911 immediately.
Pide ayuda a emergencias ya.
Ask emergency services for help right away.
Cultural Tip
The emergency number differs across Spanish‑speaking countries: 112 in most of Europe, 911 in Mexico, 999 in Spain, and 107 in Argentina. When you’re abroad, learn the local number, but the phrase *llama a emergencias* works everywhere because it refers to the service, not the specific digits.