French · Body & Health
"Emergency" in French: urgence
l'urgence
Emergency in French is l'urgence, feminine. C'est une urgence means it's an emergency. Les urgences is also the ER / A&E wing of a hospital.
At the front desk
Excusez-moi, c'est une urgence.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce urgence
Say it
lur-ZHAHNS
/lyʁ.ʒɑ̃s/
Urgence: ur-ZHAHNS. Soft g like measure; nasal -ence. With elision: lur-ZHAHNS.
"Emergency" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'urgence | the emergency A serious situation. | A serious situation. |
| c'est une urgence | it's an emergency Flagging priority. | Flagging priority. |
| les urgences | the ER / emergency room Hospital department. | Hospital department. |
| en cas d'urgence | in case of emergency Signs and instructions. | Signs and instructions. |
How to use urgence in real life
- 1At the front desk
Excusez-moi, c'est une urgence.
Excuse me, this is an emergency.
Une urgence for a crisis.
- 2Calling a friend
Je t'appelle pour une vraie urgence.
I'm calling you about a real emergency.
Vraie urgence stresses seriousness.
- 3Hospital directions
Les urgences sont à gauche après l'entrée.
The ER is on the left after the entrance.
Les urgences = emergency department.
Mistakes English speakers make with urgence
Incorrect: C'est un urgence.
Correct: C'est une urgence.
Urgence is feminine: une urgence.
Incorrect: Je vais à l'emergency.
Correct: Je vais aux urgences.
Use urgences for the hospital ER, not English emergency.
Good to know
French emergency numbers include 15 (SAMU), 18 (pompiers), and 112 (EU). Signs often say En cas d'urgence. At hospitals, follow Accueil des urgences.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Rushing to help a neighbor
ChatPal
Tu as l'air stressé, c'est une urgence ?
You look stressed — is it an emergency?
You
Oui, mon voisin a besoin d'aide tout de suite.
Yes, my neighbor needs help right away.
ChatPal
Appelle les urgences si tu n'es pas sûr.
Call the ER services if you're not sure.
You
D'accord, je compose le 15.
Okay, I'll dial 15.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Emergency" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Emergency" in French
How do you say emergency in French?
L'urgence (feminine).
How do you say it's an emergency?
C'est une urgence.
What are les urgences?
The hospital emergency department (ER / A&E).
How do you pronounce urgence?
ur-ZHAHNS, with a soft g.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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