If you find yourself in an emergency situation in a Chinese-speaking country, knowing how to call the police and ask for help is essential. In this guide, we will provide you with both formal and informal ways to express “call the police” in Chinese, along with some useful tips and examples. Please note that language variations exist within Chinese-speaking regions, but we will focus on the most widely understood Mandarin Chinese.
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Formal Ways to Say “Call the Police” in Chinese
When it comes to formal situations, it is important to use polite language and respect the formalities. Here are some formal ways to say “call the police” in Chinese:
1. 打电话报警 (dǎ diànhuà bàojǐng)
This phrase literally translates to “make a phone call to report the police.” The term “报警 (bàojǐng)” specifically means “to report to the police.”
Example: If you witness a crime, you could say, “请帮我打电话报警” (qǐng bāng wǒ dǎ diànhuà bàojǐng), which means “Please help me call the police.”
2. 拨打110/122 (bō dǎ yāo yāo líng/ yāo yāo èr èr líng)
Another formal way is to simply mention the emergency hotline numbers used in China and Taiwan. In mainland China, the emergency hotline is 110, while in Taiwan, it is 122.
Example: In an emergency, you can say, “我需要拨打110 (wǒ xū yào bō dǎ yāo yāo líng),” which means “I need to dial 110.”
Example: In Taiwan, you can say, “请帮我拨打122 (qǐng bāng wǒ bō dǎ yāo yāo èr èr líng),” which means “Please help me dial 122.”
Informal Ways to Say “Call the Police” in Chinese
In informal situations or when speaking to friends and peers, you can use more colloquial expressions to convey the same meaning. Here are some informal ways to say “call the police” in Chinese:
1. 报警 (bàojǐng)
This phrase is a more concise way of saying “call the police.” It carries the same meaning but is commonly used in informal conversations.
Example: If you need to urgently call the police, you can say, “快点报警” (kuài diǎn bàojǐng), which means “Call the police quickly.”
2. 叫警察 (jiào jǐngchá)
Another informal expression is “叫警察 (jiào jǐngchá),” which translates to “call the police.” This phrase is commonly used in everyday conversations.
Example: If you witness a crime happening, you can say, “有人在偷窃，快叫警察” (yǒu rén zài tōuqiè, kuài jiào jǐngchá), which means “Someone is stealing, call the police quickly.”
Tips for Emergency Situations and Regional Variations
In emergency situations, quick and efficient communication is vital. Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
1. Stay calm and composed
It’s important to remain calm and composed when reporting an emergency. Speak as clearly as possible to ensure your message is understood.
2. Try to provide accurate information
Along with calling the police, provide as many details as you can about the situation, such as your location, the type of emergency, and any specific circumstances. This will assist the authorities in responding appropriately.
3. Adapt to regional variations
Chinese is a diverse language with regional variations. While Mandarin Chinese is widely spoken, certain regions might have their own dialects. In these cases, it’s advisable to use the standardized Mandarin Chinese expressions mentioned above.
Conclusion
In summary, knowing how to say “call the police” in Chinese can be essential in emergency situations. In formal settings, phrases like “打电话报警 (dǎ diànhuà bàojǐng)” and “拨打110/122 (bō dǎ yāo yāo líng/ yāo yāo èr èr líng)” are commonly used. In more informal situations, you can use expressions like “报警 (bàojǐng)” and “叫警察 (jiào jǐngchá).” Remember to stay calm, provide accurate information, and adapt to any regional variations you may encounter. Stay safe!
