How to Say "emergency" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “emergency” is “emergencia” — use 'emergencia' for a general sudden, serious, or dangerous situation that requires immediate attention, like a fire or a security threat..
emergencia
eh-meh-REHN-see-ah/emeɾˈxensja/
Examples
Llama al número de emergencia inmediatamente.
Call the emergency number immediately.
Tuvimos que ir a la sala de emergencia por el accidente.
We had to go to the emergency room because of the accident.
El presidente declaró un estado de emergencia nacional.
The president declared a state of national emergency.
Feminine Noun
Even though it ends in '-a', like many Spanish words ending in '-cia' and '-gencia', it is always feminine. Use 'la emergencia' or 'una emergencia'.
Using the wrong gender
Mistake: “El emergencia.”
Correction: La emergencia. (It’s feminine, remember the 'la').
urgencia
/oor-HEN-syah//uɾˈxensja/
Examples
Es una urgencia médica, llame a la ambulancia.
It is a medical emergency, call the ambulance.
Llevamos al abuelo a urgencias.
We took grandpa to the emergency room.
The Plural Hospital Rule
When referring to the hospital department (the ER), Spanish speakers almost always use the plural form 'urgencias' instead of the singular.
extraordinaria
/eks-tra-or-di-NAH-ree-ah//ekstraorðiˈnaɾja/
Examples
El director convocó una reunión extraordinaria para discutir la crisis.
The director called a special meeting to discuss the crisis.
La empresa pagará una bonificación extraordinaria este mes.
The company will pay a supplementary bonus this month.
Necesitamos una fuente de financiación extraordinaria.
We need an extraordinary source of funding.
Formal Context
In this sense, 'extraordinaria' refers to things that happen outside the usual schedule, such as 'elecciones extraordinarias' (snap elections).
Emergencia vs. Urgencia
Related Translations
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