Significado
An urgent request to contact law enforcement.
Contexto cultural
In Brazil, the emergency number is 190. People often say 'Chama o 190' as an alternative to 'Chame a polícia'. Portugal uses the European emergency number 112. The police are divided into PSP (urban) and GNR (rural). In Luanda, the phrase is strictly literal. The police are often referred to as 'a bófia' in informal street slang, similar to Portugal. On Brazilian Twitter, 'Chame a polícia' is a meme used when someone posts a 'hot take' or a very controversial opinion about food (e.g., putting ketchup on pizza).
Emergency Numbers
Don't just shout the phrase; know the local number! 190 in Brazil, 112 in Portugal.
The 'Tu' vs 'Você' trap
If you are in Portugal, use 'Chama'. If you are in Brazil, 'Chame' is safer and more polite for strangers.
Significado
An urgent request to contact law enforcement.
Emergency Numbers
Don't just shout the phrase; know the local number! 190 in Brazil, 112 in Portugal.
The 'Tu' vs 'Você' trap
If you are in Portugal, use 'Chama'. If you are in Brazil, 'Chame' is safer and more polite for strangers.
Figurative usage
Use it when a friend tells you a ridiculous price for something. It makes you sound very native!
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'chamar' for a 'você' command.
Por favor, _______ a polícia agora!
'Chame' is the correct imperative form for 'você' in Brazil.
Which sentence is a figurative use of the phrase?
Select the correct option:
This uses the phrase hyperbolically to praise the cake.
Match the Portuguese phrase with its context.
Match the following:
Each variation fits a specific social or technical context.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Alguém roubou meu celular! B: ___________!
Calling the police is the logical response to a robbery.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosPor favor, _______ a polícia agora!
'Chame' is the correct imperative form for 'você' in Brazil.
Select the correct option:
This uses the phrase hyperbolically to praise the cake.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
Each variation fits a specific social or technical context.
A: Alguém roubou meu celular! B: ___________!
Calling the police is the logical response to a robbery.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, for a fire you should say 'Chame os bombeiros' (Call the firefighters).
Both are correct. 'Chame' is more common in Brazil (você), and 'Chama' is more common in Portugal (tu).
Yes, the word for the institution is always 'a polícia'. A male officer is 'o policial' (BR) or 'o polícia' (PT).
Common slang includes 'os homi', 'a barca' (the police car), or 'os canas'.
Yes, but 'Ligue para a polícia' is much more common in modern speech.
In an emergency, no. In a non-emergency, yes, it would be very alarming and inappropriate.
It stands for 'Boletim de Ocorrência', the official police report you file after calling them in Brazil.
You say 'A polícia está vindo' (Brazil) or 'A polícia está a chegar' (Portugal).
Usually only if it's part of a proper name like 'Polícia Federal'.
It is 112, the standard European emergency number.
Frases relacionadas
Chame uma ambulância
similarCall an ambulance
Socorro!
similarHelp!
Pare! Ladrão!
relatedStop! Thief!
Fazer um BO
builds onTo file a police report
Delegacia de polícia
specialized formPolice station
