Spanish Phrase
Ten a mano los contactos de emergencia.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to keep emergency contact information readily accessible, usually on a phone or written list, so it can be used quickly in a crisis.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving safety advice, preparing for travel, or reminding a friend or family member to have important phone numbers within easy reach.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenamanoloscontactosdeemergencia
Imperative of tener
‘Ten’ is the informal (tú) affirmative imperative of the verb ‘tener’, used to give a direct command.
a mano (idiom)
The phrase ‘a mano’ literally means ‘in the hand’, but idiomatically it means ‘handy’ or ‘within reach’.
Definite article + noun phrase
‘los contactos de emergencia’ is a plural masculine noun phrase with the definite article ‘los’ and a prepositional modifier ‘de emergencia’.
🗨In Conversation
¿Ya guardaste los números de la ambulancia y la policía?
Did you already save the ambulance and police numbers?
Sí, ten a mano los contactos de emergencia en mi móvil.
Yes, I keep the emergency contacts handy on my phone.
✕Common Mistakes
Tienes a mano los contactos de emergencia.
‘Tienes’ is the present indicative; the sentence requires the command form ‘Ten’.
Ten en mano los contactos de emergencia.
The idiomatic expression is ‘a mano’, not ‘en mano’.
Ten a mano el contactos de emergencia.
‘Contactos’ is plural masculine, so the article must be ‘los’, not ‘el’.
↔Alternatives
Mantén a mano los contactos de emergencia.
Keep the emergency contacts at hand.
Ten los contactos de emergencia a la mano.
Have the emergency contacts within reach.
Ten a la mano los contactos de emergencia.
Keep the emergency contacts close by.
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries, the universal emergency number is 112, but many people also store local numbers (e.g., 911 in Mexico, 999 in Spain). It’s common etiquette to have these numbers saved in your phone and to share them with travelers, especially in regions where mobile coverage can be spotty.