Learn Mandarin Emergency Phrases - South China Travel Guide by Almario J. Macion

Learn Mandarin - Emergency Phrases

Let's get to the point now, we all have our emergencies everywhere we go and if it happens in China we wished we've never come here? No! expect the unexpected but keep living in Xiamen : ) Let's face the music and admit it, we can not perfect Mandarin at a glance, so, when emergencies arise in South China, forget Mandarin for awhile but have the following handy:

1. your emergency contact numbers - 110 (police), 119 (fire deparment), 120 (ambulance) 2. a backpack, flashlight, matches, lighter, extra laptop batteries, extra mobile phone batteries, extra food, blankets, clothing and related items for different kinds of weathers 3. your friend's contact numbers and addresses 4. your consulate or embassies' contact numbers - make sure that you had registered earlier before or after arriving in China so you and your families' whereabouts are known. Also don't forget to register at the local Chinese police station. If you are not a "believer" on safety deposit boxes or the bank, make sure that you have one handy but fire/fool-proof box or suitcase at home to stash all documents or valuables so when the need arises that you need to run you'll just grab that box and hit the stairs or the road even if you're just on your underwear. : )= How about an earthquake? We'll talk about that real-life experience later and cite earthquake as a scenario in our Learn Mandarin for emergencies tutorials below.

SCENARIO:
You're asleep (say around 1:00 am) on the 17th floor of a high rise building and an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.5 to 5.4 (can be felt but probably causes some minor damages) sways you in your sleep a bit. You were dreaming that you were in a date with Britney Spears and you were suddenly awaken by a faint (but understandable) voice coming thru your condo walls echoing from your neighbors.
SOLUTION: Learn the emergency Mandarin word: Earthquake (dì zhèn) ( 地震 ) - this is another fragile word to use so please only use it within serious scenarios.