A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I need to go to the hospital" in Italian
Express the urgent need to get to a hospital in Italy. Essential for emergencies.
Devo andare in ospedale.
deh-voh an-DAH-reh een oh-speh-DAH-lehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase if you or someone with you has a serious medical issue requiring immediate professional attention. This is for situations where you need to get to a hospital quickly, not for a routine doctor's visit.
Alternatives
- Ho bisogno di andare all'ospedale.Slightly more emphatic about the 'need' part.
- Mi serve un ospedale.More direct, like saying 'I need a hospital' rather than 'I need to go to'.
Ways to get it wrong
Ospedale vs Ospedaletto
'Ospedale' is the general term for hospital; 'ospedaletto' is a small clinic or infirmary.
Pronouncing 'doppie'
Pay attention to double consonants like in 'Devo' (single 'v') versus 'doppio' (double 'p'). The double consonants are held longer.
Frequently asked
What is the emergency number in Italy?
The main emergency number in Italy is 112, which connects you to police, ambulance, and fire services. It's a pan-European number.
How do I say 'ambulance' in Italian?
An ambulance is called an 'ambulanza'. You might also hear 'autoambulanza' which is the same thing.
What if I need a doctor but not a hospital?
For less urgent medical needs, you can ask for a 'medico' (doctor) or a 'farmacia' (pharmacy), where a pharmacist can offer advice and over-the-counter remedies.
