Note: The spoken Chinese Mandarin language has 4 spoken tones. We have attempted to re-create those below where after each syllable we tell you (1), (2), (3), or (4) as they correspond to each of the 4 tones. We encourage you to complement your Xianzai.com Emergency Chinese newsletter with a good offline study program.

Emergency Phone Numbers: jin(3) ji(2) dian(4) hua(4) hao(4) ma(3)

NEW WORDS
Phone: dian(4) hua(4)
Phone number: dian(4) hua(4) hao(4) ma(3)
Emergency: jin(3) ji(2)
Operator: jie(1) xian(4) yuan(2)

LESSON

• Can I make a phone call please?
  wo(3) ke(3) yi(3) da(3) ge(4) dian(4) hua(4) ma?
  
• What is your phone number?
  nin(2) de dian(4) hua(4) hao(4) ma(3)?
  
• Please help me - it's an emergency?
  qing(3) bang(1) wo(3), hen(3) jin(3) ji(2)?
  
• Operator, please connect me with the Police.
  jie(1) xian(4) yuan(2), qing(3) bang(1) wo(3) jie(1) jing(3) cha(2).

* Tip: Telephones are slowly but surely taking over China. By the end of 2001, China had the largest number of mobile phone subscribers in the world and was ranked fifth based on the number of fixed-line phones.

Traveling in China is generally very safe, but as the old saying goes - it's better to be safe than sorry. Keep this handy list of the main emergency phone numbers handy just in case.

110 - Police
119 - Fire Department
120 - Ambulance
114 - Directory Assistance
117 - Time (talking clock)
121 - Weather