Help!
'Aiuto' = a-YOO-toh. Stress on second syllable. This is the most fundamental emergency word in Italian.
Shouted in any immediate emergency — attack, accident, fire, medical crisis.
'Aiuto!' is the universal cry for help in Italian. It is a noun used as an exclamation. It cuts across all registers and contexts — everyone in Italy will understand and respond. In crowded places, a loud 'Aiuto!' will immediately draw attention. It is the Italian equivalent of 'Help!' in English.
Mi aiuti, per favore!
Please help me!
Polite form using the formal imperative — use when addressing an individual.
Qualcuno mi aiuti!
Somebody help me!
Addressed to a crowd — uses the subjunctive mood for a general plea.
Ho bisogno di aiuto urgente!
I need urgent help!
More specific — clarifies the urgency level.
Italy's emergency number 112 is the pan-European number that connects to all services. 118 is the dedicated medical emergency number. Both are free from any phone, including mobiles without SIM. Operators speak Italian and English and can redirect calls to police (113), fire brigade (115) or coast guard (1530).