Lesson 11: Emergencies: 110, 119 and Asking for Help

Learn this lesson well, and practise saying the sentences aloud. In an emergency, your brain will not search for words; they must already be ready. These numbers are free to call from any phone, including public phones.

Two numbers to remember

Both lines have operators who first ask what you need. If you cannot speak Japanese, say 「えいご」 or the key word, and stay on the line. Some places have interpretation by phone.

Words that call for help

The report: what, where, who

When you call, give three things in this order: 1. what happened, 2. where (the address or a landmark), 3. your name and phone number.

Your address in Japanese

Learn to say your home address, written in this order: prefecture, city, ward/town, block number (ちょうめ, ばんち, ごう), building and room number. Write it on a card and keep it in your wallet and phone.

Earthquakes, typhoons and evacuation

• In an earthquake: protect your head (あたまを まもる), get under a sturdy table, keep away from windows, open a door, do not run outside in a building. After it stops, turn off gas and electricity, and listen for tsunami warnings if you are near the coast.
• Typhoons and heavy rain: stay inside, stay away from rivers and the sea, and follow alerts on your phone and TV. Check your local ひなんじょ on the city map before an emergency.
• Join the ひなんくんれん (drill) at work or in your neighbourhood. Keep water, a torch, snacks and a copy of your passport and card ready.

If you lose your passport or residence card: report it to the police (a こうばん is fine) and ask for a certificate, then tell your embassy and the immigration office. Keep copies of both documents separately.

Every ▶ button plays a clear computer voice, which is good for learning sounds and rhythm but is not a native speaker. Pitch (the rise and fall of the voice) can sound a little flat. Also listen to real Japanese as often as you can: videos, news for learners (NHK Easy), and Japanese people around you.

Check yourself

Try to answer every question before you look at the answers.

1. What number do you call for the police?
2. What number do you call for an ambulance or a fire?
3. Say "Please send an ambulance."
4. Say "There's a fire!"
5. Say "A person has collapsed."
6. What three things do you tell the operator?
7. What does じしん mean?
8. What is a ひなんじょ?
9. What do you do first in an earthquake?
10. What do you do if you lose your passport?

Answers

Count your correct answers. If you got fewer than 7 out of 10, read the lesson again and listen to the audio once more.

1. 110 (ひゃくとおばん).
2. 119 (ひゃくじゅうきゅうばん).
3. きゅうきゅうしゃを おねがいします。
4. かじです!
5. ひとが たおれて います。
6. What happened, where, and your name and phone number.
7. Earthquake.
8. An evacuation shelter.
9. Protect your head and get under a sturdy table.
10. Report it to the police, get a certificate, and tell your embassy and immigration.