Confusing 'Policía' with 'Política'
Mistake: “Saying 'Llama a la política'”
Correction: Llama a la policía
How to say
Call the police
in SpanishLlama a la policía
YAH-mah ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah
This is the most direct way to tell someone to call the police. It uses the 'tú' (informal) command form, which is standard in urgent situations even with strangers because panic often overrides social formalities.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Llame a la policía
★★★★★
YAH-meh ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah
formal🌍
The formal 'usted' command. This is grammatically 'polite,' but in an emergency, it effectively functions as a firm instruction to a specific stranger.
When to use: Use this when pointing directly at one adult stranger to give them a specific task during an emergency.
¡Llamen a la policía!
★★★★★
YAH-men ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah
plural/neutral🌎 🌍
The plural command addressing a group ('You all, call the police!'). This is extremely effective in public places to alert a crowd.
When to use: Use when shouting to a crowd of onlookers or a group of people to ensure someone makes the call.
¡Policía!
★★★★★
poh-lee-SEE-ah
neutral🌍
Simply shouting 'Police!' implies a request for help or that the police are needed immediately.
When to use: Use when you don't have time for a full sentence, or you are shouting for help yourself.
Voy a llamar a la policía
★★★★☆
BOY ah yah-MAR ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah
neutral🌍
Means 'I am going to call the police.' Used as a warning or statement of intent rather than a command.
When to use: Use to warn an aggressor to back off or to inform others of what you are doing.
Llama a los carabineros
★★★★★
YAH-mah ah lohs kah-rah-bee-NEH-rohs
informal🇨🇱
In Chile, the uniformed police are called 'Carabineros'. Using the word 'policía' works, but this is the local term.
When to use: Specifically when in Chile.
Necesito a la policía
★★★★☆
neh-seh-SEE-toh ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah
neutral🌍
Means 'I need the police.'
When to use: Use when speaking to a hotel receptionist, security guard, or emergency dispatcher.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right command form depends on who you are addressing during the emergency.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llama a la policía | Informal (Tú) | Family, friends, or general shouting in panic | Addressing an authority figure (unless panicking) |
| Llame a la policía | Formal (Usted) | Directing a specific adult stranger to help | Talking to a child or close friend |
| Llamen a la policía | Plural (Ustedes) | Shouting to a group/crowd of people | You are alone with just one person |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in 10 minutes
Pronunciation2/5
Very straightforward. Standard Spanish vowels. Stress is on the 'i' in policía (marked by the accent).
Grammar2/5
Imperative (command) forms can be tricky for advanced learners, but memorizing this single phrase is easy for beginners.
Cultural Nuance3/5
Knowing which number to dial and trusting the local police varies by region.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering the local emergency number (112 vs 911)
- Pronouncing the 'ci' as 'see' (LatAm) or 'thi' (Spain)
💡Examples in Action
Witnessing a car crash on the streetA1
¡Hay un accidente! ¡Llama a la policía!
There's an accident! Call the police!
Speaking to a shop owner after a theft (formal)A2
Por favor, llame a la policía, me han robado.
Please, call the police, I have been robbed.
Warning someone who is trespassing or harassing youB1
Si no te vas, voy a llamar a la policía.
If you don't leave, I'm going to call the police.
Asking a group for help without pointing at one personA2
¿Alguien puede llamar a la policía?
Can someone call the police?
🌍Cultural Context
Emergency Numbers Vary
Unlike in the US where 911 is universal, numbers vary in Spanish-speaking countries. In Spain, the number is **112** (which works across the EU). In Mexico and many parts of Latin America, **911** has been adopted, but other countries might use specific numbers like 123 (Colombia) or 133 (Chile). Always check the local emergency number when you travel.
La Policía vs. El Policía
The word 'policía' changes meaning depending on the article used. **La policía** (feminine) refers to the police force or the institution as a whole. **El policía** (masculine) or **la policía** (feminine) refers to an individual police officer. When calling for help, you are asking for the institution, so you ask for 'la policía.'
Tourist Police (Policía Turística)
Many major tourist destinations in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Spain have a specialized 'Policía Turística.' They often speak English and are specifically trained to help visitors with lost passports, theft, or directions. They are usually friendlier and more helpful for non-locals.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Teléfono' unnecessarily
Mistake: “Saying 'Llama al teléfono de la policía'”
Correction: Llama a la policía
Being too polite in emergencies
Mistake: “Using long phrases like 'Podría usted por favor llamar...'”
Correction: ¡Llame a la policía!
💡Pro Tips
Point and Command
Psychological studies show that in emergencies, crowds often freeze (the bystander effect). To get help effectively, point at one specific person and use the formal command: '¡Usted! ¡Llame a la policía!' (You! Call the police!).
Learn 'Socorro' and 'Auxilio'
If you are the one in danger and can't make the call, shouting '¡Policía!' works, but shouting '¡Socorro!' (Succor/Help) or '¡Auxilio!' (Aid/Help) is the standard way to scream for immediate help.
🗺️Regional Variations
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:Llamar a la policía / Guardia Civil
Pronunciation:poh-lee-THEE-ah (using the 'th' sound for 'c')
Alternatives:
Llama al 112 (uno-uno-dos)Avisar a la Guardia Civil
Spain has different police forces: Policía Nacional (urban), Guardia Civil (rural/highways), and Policía Local (traffic/municipal). Calling 112 covers all of them.
⚠️ Note: Don't confuse the different forces, but in an emergency, just saying 'Policía' is fine.
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:Háblale a la policía
Pronunciation:Standard Latin American 's' sound for 'c'
Alternatives:
Marca al 911¡La patrulla!
In Mexico, people often say 'hablar' (to speak) instead of 'llamar' for phone calls. 'Háblale a la policía' is very common. 911 is the standard number.
⚠️ Note: Avoid being rude to officers; addressing them as 'oficial' or 'jefe' (informal respect) is common.
🇨🇱
Chile
Preferred:Llama a los Carabineros
Pronunciation:kah-rah-bee-NEH-rohs
Alternatives:
¡Los pacos! (Slang - be careful, can be disrespectful)Llama al 133
The police institution 'Carabineros de Chile' is a huge part of national identity. Asking for 'policía' works, but 'Carabineros' is the specific term locals use.
🇦🇷
Argentina
Preferred:Llamá a la policía
Pronunciation:shah-MAH (The 'll' sounds like 'sh' or 'zh')
Alternatives:
¡La cana! (Slang for police)Llamá al 911
In Argentina, the 'voseo' form is used. The stress falls on the end of the verb: 'Llamá' instead of 'Llama'.
💬What Comes Next?
The dispatcher answers the phone
They say:
¿Cuál es su emergencia?
What is your emergency?
→
You respond:
Necesito una ambulancia / Me están robando
I need an ambulance / I am being robbed
Someone agrees to call for you
They say:
¿Qué les digo?
What should I tell them?
→
You respond:
Diles que hay un accidente en [Lugar]
Tell them there is an accident at [Location]
Police arrive
They say:
¿Quién llamó a la policía?
Who called the police?
→
You respond:
Fui yo / Fue él
It was me / It was him
🧠Memory Tricks
The 'Police-See-Ah' Trick
The word 'Policía' sounds very similar to the English 'Policy' but with an 'ah' at the end. Think: 'I have a POLICY-AH of calling the police when in danger.'
Llama = Yam
The double L (ll) in Spanish sounds like a 'Y'. Imagine a **Yam** making a phone call. 'Yam-a' the police!
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, we almost always say 'Call THE police.' In Spanish, it is also 'Llama a LA policía.' The structure is very similar. However, Spanish distinguishes between the institution (feminine) and the officer (masculine/feminine), whereas English uses 'police' for both the group and the concept.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"Call the cops"
Why it''s different: Slang terms like 'poli', 'tombos', or 'pacos' exist in Spanish but vary wildly by country and can be offensive.
Use instead: Stick to the standard 'policía' to be safe and respectful everywhere.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
Help! / I need help
This is the most critical companion phrase for emergencies.
I have been robbed
Explains the reason why you are calling the police.
Where is the hospital?
Essential for medical emergencies that often accompany police calls.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: Call the police
Question 1 of 3
You see a fight break out in a busy plaza in Madrid. You want to shout to the crowd for someone to call the police. What do you say?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the emergency number in Spanish-speaking countries?
It depends on the country. In Spain, dial **112**. In Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic, dial **911**. In Colombia, it's **123**. In Chile, **133**. It is crucial to check the specific emergency numbers for the country you are visiting before you arrive.
Can I just shout 'Policía'?
Yes! In a high-stress situation where you don't have time to form sentences, shouting '¡Policía!' (Police!) is universally understood as a cry for help.
Is 'policía' masculine or feminine?
The institution is feminine (**la** policía). The officer can be masculine (**el** policía) or feminine (**la** policía) depending on their gender. When calling for help generally, you use the feminine form because you want the institution/force.
How do I say 'I want to report a crime'?
You can say 'Quiero denunciar un delito' or simply 'Quiero hacer una denuncia' (I want to make a report). This is what you say when you are safely at the police station.
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