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PhrasesEmergency PhrasesSono rimasto/a intrappolato/a!
B1

Sono rimasto/a intrappolato/a!

I am trapped!

Pronunciation

'Intrappolato' = een-trap-po-LA-toh (m), 'intrappolata' = een-trap-po-LA-tah (f). Agree with your gender.

When to use it

When physically trapped — in a lift, under debris, in a vehicle, or in a locked room.

What it means

'Sono rimasto/a intrappolato/a' uses 'rimanere' (to remain/stay) + past participle in the passato prossimo — expressing a state resulting from an action. Gender agreement of 'intrappolato/a' is required. This phrase is essential when calling for help from inside a lift (ascensore), collapsed building, or locked space. Lifts in Italy have an emergency button and phone directly linked to emergency services.

Variations

Sono bloccato/a nell'ascensore — chiamate i pompieri!

I'm stuck in the lift — call the fire brigade!

Italian lifts (post-2000) must have GSM emergency phones — press the alarm button.

Sono sotto le macerie, riesco ancora a respirare.

I am under the rubble, I can still breathe.

Critical information for rescue teams — confirm breathing status.

La porta è bloccata dall'esterno — non riesco ad aprire.

The door is locked from outside — I can't open it.

Building entrapment — fire brigade can force entry legally.

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Cultural Note

Italian lifts are regulated by Decree DPR 162/1999. Post-1999 lifts must have a two-way voice communication system linked to a 24-hour response centre. The Vigili del Fuoco (115) respond to entrapments — they are trained in technical rescue (Soccorso Tecnico Urgente) including lift extraction, vehicle extrication and urban search and rescue.