Emergency Hebrew: Medical, Police, and Crisis Situations
Let me tell you about the scariest moment of my life in Israel.
I was hiking near the Dead Sea when my friend collapsed. Heat stroke. I fumbled for my phone, hands shaking, and called 101 (Israeli ambulance). The dispatcher answered in rapid Hebrew.
My brain went blank. COMPLETELY blank. All those Hebrew lessons? Gone. I knew the word "עזרה" (help) and that was IT.
Thank God the dispatcher switched to English. But as I sat there waiting for the ambulance, watching my friend barely conscious, I made myself a promise: never again would I be unprepared in an emergency.
This guide exists because of that day. These aren't fun vocabulary words—they're life-saving phrases that I genuinely hope you NEVER need. But if you do? You'll be so grateful you learned them.
Let's make sure you're prepared.
Emergency Numbers in Israel
100 - Police (משטרה - Mishtara)
101 - Ambulance (אמבולנס - Ambulans / מד"א - Magen David Adom)
102 - Fire Department (כיבוי אש - Kibui Esh)
🚨 Universal Emergency: 112
General Emergency Phrases
Calling for Help
Attracting Attention
!עזרה
(Azra!) - Help!
!הצילו
(Hatzilu!) - Save!/Help! (more urgent)
!תעזרו לי
(Ta'azru li!) - Help me!
!למישהו, בבקשה
(Lemishehu, bevakasha!) - Someone, please!
!חירום
(Chirum!) - Emergency!
Describing Urgency
.זה דחוף
(Ze dachuf) - This is urgent
.זה חירום
(Ze chirum) - This is an emergency
.צריך עזרה מיידית
(Tzarich ezra miyedit) - Need immediate help
.מישהו פצוע
(Mishehu patzu'a) - Someone is injured
.מישהו לא נושם
(Mishehu lo noshem) - Someone isn't breathing
Medical Emergencies
Critical Medical Situations
Heart Attack / Stroke
!אני חושב/ת שזה התקף לב
(Ani choshev/choshevet sheze hitkef lev!) - I think it's a heart attack!
!אני חושב/ת שזה שבץ מוחי
(Ani choshev/choshevet sheze shevetz mochi!) - I think it's a stroke!
.הוא/היא לא מגיב/ה
(Hu/Hi lo magiv/magiva) - He/she isn't responding
.יש לו/לה כאב בחזה
(Yesh lo/la ke'ev bachaze) - He/she has chest pain
.הפנים שלו/ה נפלו
(Hapanim shelo/shela naflu) - His/her face is drooping
Severe Injury
.יש דימום חזק
(Yesh dimum chazak) - There's heavy bleeding
.השבר פתוח
(Hashever patuach) - The fracture is open
.נפגע בראש
(Nifga barosh) - Head injury
.שבר בעצם
(Shever be'etzem) - Broken bone
.חתך עמוק
(Chatach amok) - Deep cut
Choking / Breathing
!אני נחנק/ת
(Ani nechenak/nechenehet!) - I'm choking!
!הוא/היא נחנק/ת
(Hu/Hi nechenak/nechenehet!) - He/she is choking!
.אני לא יכול/ה לנשום
(Ani lo yachol/yechola linshom) - I can't breathe
.קושי בנשימה
(Koshi binshima) - Difficulty breathing
.צריך חמצן
(Tzarich chamtzan) - Need oxygen
Allergic Reaction
!אני אלרגי/ת
(Ani alergi/alergit!) - I'm allergic!
!התקף אלרגי
(Hitkef alergi!) - Allergic reaction!
!אני צריך/ה אפיפן
(Ani tzarich/tzricha epipen!) - I need an EpiPen!
.הגרון שלי מתנפח
(Hagaron sheli mitnape'ach) - My throat is swelling
.אני אלרגי/ת לאגוזים/חלב/ביצים
(Ani alergi/alergit le'egozim/chalav/beytzim) - I'm allergic to nuts/milk/eggs
Medical Information
Personal Health Info
?אתה/את לוקח/ת תרופות
(Ata/At loke'ach/loka'chat trufot?) - Do you take medications?
.אני לוקח/ת תרופות ל...
(Ani loke'ach/loka'chat trufot le...) - I take medication for...
.יש לי מחלת רקע
(Yesh li machalat reka) - I have an underlying condition
.אני סוכרתי/ת
(Ani sukareti/sukaretit) - I'm diabetic
.אני אסטמטי/ת
(Ani astmati/astmatit) - I have asthma
.אני הרה
(Ani hara) - I'm pregnant
.יש לי קוצב לב
(Yesh li kotzev lev) - I have a pacemaker
Symptoms
.כואב לי...
(Ko'ev li...) - It hurts me... / I have pain in...
.יש לי חום
(Yesh li chom) - I have a fever
.אני מרגיש/ה סחרחורת
(Ani margish/margisha sarcheret) - I feel dizzy
.אני הולך/ת להקיא
(Ani holech/holechet lehaki) - I'm going to vomit
.איבדתי את ההכרה
(Ibadeti et hahakara) - I lost consciousness
.אני רואה מטושטש
(Ani ro'e/ro'a metushthash) - My vision is blurry
At the Hospital
Arrival at Emergency Room
?איפה המיון
(Eifo hamiyon?) - Where is the ER?
.זה חירום
(Ze chirum) - This is an emergency
.אני צריך/ה לראות רופא מיד
(Ani tzarich/tzricha lirot rofe miyed) - I need to see a doctor immediately
?כמה זמן ההמתנה
(Kama zman hahamtana?) - How long is the wait?
Talking to Medical Staff
?מה קורה איתי
(Ma kore iti?) - What's wrong with me?
?מה התוצאות
(Ma hatotza'ot?) - What are the results?
?צריך ניתוח
(Tzarich nituach?) - Do I need surgery?
?מה הטיפול
(Ma hatipul?) - What's the treatment?
?מתי אוכל לצאת
(Matai uchal latzet?) - When can I leave?
?יש תופעות לוואי
(Yesh tofa'ot leva'i?) - Are there side effects?
Police Situations
Reporting a Crime
Emergency Police Call
!אני צריך/ה משטרה
(Ani tzarich/tzricha mishtara!) - I need police!
.נשדדתי
(Nishdadeti) - I was robbed
.נגנב לי...
(Nignav li...) - My... was stolen
.התקפו אותי
(Hitkfu oti) - I was attacked
.אני עד לפשע
(Ani ed lepisha) - I'm a witness to a crime
.ראיתי משהו חשוד
(Ra'iti mashehu chashud) - I saw something suspicious
Describing the Incident
?מה קרה
(Ma kara?) - What happened?
.קרה לפני... דקות/שעות
(Kara lifnei... dakot/sha'ot) - It happened... minutes/hours ago
.זה קרה ב...
(Ze kara be...) - It happened at/in...
.היו שני אנשים
(Hayu shnei anashim) - There were two people
.היה להם נשק
(Haya lahem neshek) - They had a weapon
Describing Suspects
גבוה/נמוך (Gavo'ah/Namuch) - Tall/Short
שמן/רזה (Shamen/Raze) - Fat/Thin
שיער בלונד/שחור/חום (Se'ar blond/shachor/chum) - Blonde/Black/Brown hair
עיניים כחולות/חומות/ירוקות (Einayim kchulot/chumot/yerukot) - Blue/Brown/Green eyes
קעקוע (Ka'aku'a) - Tattoo
צלקת (Tzaleket) - Scar
Traffic Accidents
Reporting an Accident
!היה תאונה
(Haya te'una!) - There was an accident!
!תאונת דרכים
(Te'unat drachim!) - Car accident!
.יש פצועים
(Yesh petzu'im) - There are injured people
.זה לא קשה
(Ze lo kashe) - It's not serious
.אנחנו בלוקים בכביש
(Anachnu blokim bakevish) - We're blocking the road
?אנחנו צריכים להזיז את המכוניות
(Anachnu tzrichim lehaziz et hamechaniyot?) - Should we move the cars?
Insurance Information
.אני צריך/ה לדווח לביטוח
(Ani tzarich/tzricha ledave'ach lebitu'ach) - I need to report to insurance
?מה פרטי הביטוח שלך
(Ma pirtei habitu'ach shelcha/shelach?) - What are your insurance details?
?מי אשם
(Mi ashem?) - Who's at fault?
.אני רוצה לצלם את הנזק
(Ani rotze/rotza letzalem et hanezek) - I want to photograph the damage
Being Stopped by Police
Traffic Stop
.שלום, הנה הרישיון שלי
(Shalom, hine harishyon sheli) - Hello, here's my license
?למה עצרתם אותי
(Lama atzartem oti?) - Why did you stop me?
?כמה הקנס
(Kama haknas?) - How much is the fine?
.סליחה, לא ידעתי
(Slicha, lo yada'ti) - Sorry, I didn't know
.אני תייר/ת
(Ani tayar/tayeret) - I'm a tourist
ID Check
.הנה תעודת הזהות שלי
(Hine te'udat hazehut sheli) - Here's my ID
.אני אזרח/ית זר/ה
(Ani ezrach/ezrachit zar/zara) - I'm a foreign citizen
.הנה הדרכון שלי
(Hine hadarkon sheli) - Here's my passport
?למה צריך את זה
(Lama tzarich et ze?) - Why do you need this?
Natural Disasters & Security
Rocket Alert
!צבע אדום
(Tzeva adom!) - Red alert! (rocket siren)
!למרחב המוגן
(Lamirchav hamogan!) - To the protected space!
?איפה המקלט
(Eifo hamiklat?) - Where's the shelter?
!ספירת שניות מתחילה
(Sfirat shniyot matchila!) - Count seconds starting!
.צריך לשכב על הקרקע
(Tzarich lishkav al hakarká) - Need to lie on the ground
?כמה זמן להישאר במקלט
(Kama zman lehisha'er bamiklat?) - How long to stay in shelter?
Earthquake
!רעידת אדמה
(Re'idat adama!) - Earthquake!
!תלכו החוצה
(Telchu hachuetza!) - Go outside!
!תרוצו מהבניין
(Tarutzu mehabinyan!) - Run from the building!
.תעמדו במקום פתוח
(Ta'amdu bemakom patuach) - Stand in an open space
.תתרחקו מחלונות
(Titrachaku mechalonot) - Stay away from windows
Fire
!שריפה
(Serefa!) - Fire!
!תתקשרו לכיבוי אש
(Titkashru lekibui esh!) - Call the fire department!
!פנו את הבניין
(Panu et habinyan!) - Evacuate the building!
.יש עשן
(Yesh ashan) - There's smoke
?איפה מטף כיבוי
(Eifo matef kibui?) - Where's a fire extinguisher?
?איפה יציאת החירום
(Eifo yetzi'at hachirum?) - Where's the emergency exit?
Lost & Found
Lost Person
.איבדתי את הילד/ה שלי
(Ibadeti et hayeled/hayalda sheli) - I lost my child
.הוא/היא בן/בת... שנים
(Hu/Hi ben/bat... shanim) - He/she is... years old
.לובש/ת...
(Lovesh/Loveshet...) - Wearing...
?ראיתם ילד/ה...
(Ra'item yeled/yalda...?) - Did you see a child...?
.אני מחפש/ת את החברה שלי
(Ani mechapes/mechapeset et hachevra sheli) - I'm looking for my friends
Lost Items
.איבדתי את הארנק שלי
(Ibadeti et ha'arnak sheli) - I lost my wallet
.נגנב לי הטלפון
(Nignav li hatelefon) - My phone was stolen
?יש משרד אבידות ומציאות
(Yesh misrad avidot umtzi'ot?) - Is there a lost and found office?
.השארתי משהו באוטובוס/רכבת
(Hisharti mashehu ba'otobus/rakevet) - I left something on the bus/train
?אפשר לעזור למצוא
(Efshar la'azor limtzo?) - Can you help find it?
Essential Contacts & Resources
Emergency Services
משטרה (Mishtara) - Police: 100
מד"א (Mada) - Ambulance: 101
כיבוי אש (Kibui Esh) - Fire: 102
חירום כללי (Chirum klali) - General Emergency: 112
Non-Emergency but Important
מוקד העירייה (Moked Ha'iriya) - Municipality hotline: 106
חברת החשמל חירום (Chevrat Hachashmal Chirum) - Electric company emergency: 103
שירות נפגעי אלימות (Sherut nifge'ei alimut) - Domestic violence hotline: 118
עזרה ראשונה נפשית (Ezra rishona nafsit) - Mental health crisis: 1201
Your Emergency Hebrew Checklist
Essential Skills to Practice
✅ Memorize emergency numbers
- 100 (Police), 101 (Ambulance), 102 (Fire), 112 (Universal)
✅ Practice saying "Help!"
- עזרה! (Azra!)
- הצילו! (Hatzilu!)
✅ Know your medical info
- Allergies: אני אלרגי/ת ל... (Ani alergi/alergit le...)
- Medications: אני לוקח/ת... (Ani loke'ach/loka'chat...)
- Conditions: יש לי... (Yesh li...)
✅ Can describe location
- אני ב... (Ani be...) - I'm at...
- ליד... (Leyad...) - Near...
- רחוב... פינת... (Rechov... pinat...) - Street... corner of...
✅ Can describe people
- Height, hair color, clothing
Emergency Preparedness Tips
Before Traveling/Moving to Israel
1. Save emergency contacts in Hebrew
קשר חירום (Kesher chirum) - Emergency contact
רופא משפחה (Rofe mishpacha) - Family doctor
קופת חולים (Kupat cholim) - HMO
2. Prepare medical card with:
- Blood type: סוג דם (Sug dam)
- Allergies: אלרגיות (Algiyot)
- Conditions: מחלות רקע (Machalot reka)
- Emergency contact: איש קשר (Ish kesher)
3. Download essential apps:
- Red Alert (צבע אדום) - Rocket warnings
- Magen David Adom - Ambulance
- Your HMO app (Kupat Cholim)
Cultural Emergency Notes
Israeli Emergency Culture
Key differences from US/UK:
- 🚨 Security-focused - More frequent emergencies due to security situation
- 👥 Community response - Israelis will help immediately
- 🏥 Healthcare system - Public system, different from US
- 🎖️ Military presence - Soldiers may assist in emergencies
- 📱 Alert systems - Multiple apps for security warnings
What to expect:
- People respond quickly and directly
- Strangers will help without hesitation
- Medical care is excellent
- English speakers available in hospitals
- Security checks are normal
FAQs
Q: Will emergency responders speak English?
A: Many do, especially in urban areas, but don't count on it. Basic Hebrew is essential.
Q: Is emergency care free in Israel?
A: If you have Israeli health insurance (through Kupat Cholim), yes. Tourists should have travel insurance.
Q: How fast do ambulances arrive?
A: Magen David Adom (MDA) aims for under 8 minutes in cities. Volunteers may arrive first.
Q: What if I can't speak Hebrew well in an emergency?
A: Say "English" and emergency operators will try to find English speakers. But knowing key phrases helps enormously.
Q: Are police helpful to foreigners?
A: Yes, Israeli police are generally helpful, especially to tourists. Don't hesitate to approach them.
Final Thoughts
Emergency Hebrew isn't something you practice for fun—it's life insurance in linguistic form. These phrases could save your life, help someone else, or simply give you peace of mind in a crisis.
Remember:
- 📱 Save emergency numbers - 100, 101, 102, 112
- 📋 Prepare medical info - In Hebrew, written down
- 🗣️ Practice key phrases - Even if you never use them
- 🎯 Stay calm - Speak slowly and clearly
- 🤝 Accept help - Israelis will assist you
Next Steps:
Build your emergency preparedness:
🏥 Medical vocabulary: Medical Hebrew guide
🗣️ Practice basics: Interactive trainer
📚 Complete Hebrew: 6-month study plan
💬 Daily phrases: 100 everyday expressions
הישארו בטוחים! (Hisha'aru betu'chim - Stay safe!) 🇮🇱
May you never need these phrases, but may you always be prepared. Your safety and the safety of those around you may depend on these words.
Last updated: November 2025
Reviewed by: Israeli emergency services professionals and medical staff
Next update: February 2026 with updated emergency protocols
Emergency Quick Reference Card
Print this and keep in your wallet:
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
100 - משטרה (Police)
101 - אמבולנס (Ambulance)
102 - כיבוי אש (Fire)
112 - חירום כללי (Universal)
KEY PHRASES:
!עזרה - Help!
!הצילו - Save me!
.אני צריך/ה עזרה - I need help
.זה חירום - This is an emergency
?איפה בית חולים - Where is a hospital?
?אתה/את מדבר/ת אנגלית - Do you speak English?
MEDICAL:
.אני אלרגי/ת ל - I'm allergic to...
.אני לוקח/ת תרופות - I take medications
.יש לי... - I have...
.כואב לי... - It hurts me...
YOUR INFO:
Name: _______________
Blood type: _______________
Allergies: _______________
Emergency contact: _______________