اتصلوا بالبوليس
ittasilu bil-bolis
Call the police
Literally: Connect/Contact (plural) with the police
In 15 Seconds
- A plural command used to tell a group to call police.
- Uses the loanword 'bolis' which is understood everywhere.
- Essential for emergency situations and public safety.
- Direct, urgent, and highly effective in a crisis.
Meaning
This is a direct command used to tell a group of people to call the police immediately. It is your go-to phrase for emergencies or when you see something illegal happening.
Key Examples
3 of 6Witnessing a car accident
يا ناس، في حادث كبير، اتصلوا بالبوليس!
People, there is a big accident, call the police!
A store manager during a robbery
بسرعة، اتصلوا بالبوليس الآن!
Quickly, call the police now!
Reporting a theft in a crowded market
حرامي! اتصلوا بالبوليس!
Thief! Call the police!
Cultural Background
In Egypt, 'Bulis' is the standard word used on the street. You will also hear 'Al-Najda' (The Rescue) which refers to the 122 emergency number. The term 'Al-Shurta' is much more common and formal. Using 'Bulis' might sound a bit dated or like you're watching an old movie. People might use 'Al-Darak' (الدرك) to refer to the gendarmerie or internal security forces in specific contexts. Code-switching with French is common. You might hear 'Appeler la police' mixed with Arabic verbs.
Use the Plural
Even if you are looking at one person, shouting the plural 'Itasulu' can sound more like a general cry for help to anyone listening.
Don't Forget the 'Bi'
Saying 'Ittasulu al-bulis' is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner. Always include the 'bi'!
In 15 Seconds
- A plural command used to tell a group to call police.
- Uses the loanword 'bolis' which is understood everywhere.
- Essential for emergency situations and public safety.
- Direct, urgent, and highly effective in a crisis.
What It Means
اتصلوا بالبوليس (Ittasilu bil-bolis) is a plural imperative command. You are telling a group to get law enforcement on the line. The verb اتصلوا comes from the root for 'contacting' or 'calling.' The word بوليس is a direct loanword from English/French. It is understood across the entire Arabic-speaking world. It is urgent, direct, and leaves no room for confusion.
How To Use It
Use this when you are in a group setting. It is specifically conjugated for 'you all' (plural). If you are talking to just one person, you would say اتصل. But in a crowd, you shout اتصلوا. It is usually followed by a sense of urgency. You don't whisper this at a library. You say it loudly when something is wrong. Just remember to add the ب (bi) before البوليس. It acts like the word 'with' or 'to' in this context.
When To Use It
You use this in genuine emergencies. Think of a car accident on a busy street. Or perhaps you see a shop being robbed. It is also common if someone is being harassed in public. In these moments, you are the one taking charge. It is a high-stakes phrase for high-stakes moments. You might also hear it in action movies or TV dramas. It's the classic 'cliffhanger' line before a commercial break.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this as a joke with strangers. Security at airports or malls will not find it funny. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences. If someone took your seat at a cafe, don't yell this. It is also not for calling a friend. For that, you just say اتصل بي (call me). Using the word بوليس for a lost cat might get you some weird looks. Keep it for the big stuff.
Cultural Background
While شرطة (shurta) is the official Modern Standard Arabic word for police, بوليس is incredibly common in dialects. It entered the language during colonial periods and stuck. In many Arab countries, the police are a very visible presence. People generally rely on them for traffic issues and public safety. Interestingly, in some neighborhoods, people might try to resolve small disputes locally first. But for anything serious, this phrase is the universal signal that 'the law' needs to step in.
Common Variations
You will often hear اطلبوا البوليس (Utlubu al-bolis), which means 'Request the police.' In Egypt, you might hear كلموا البوليس (Kallimu al-bolis). If you want to be very formal, you say اتصلوا بالشرطة (Ittasilu bish-shurta). In a panic, some people just scream بوليس! (Police!) without the verb. All of these will get the same result: sirens and flashing lights.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-informal command. It is perfectly acceptable in any public emergency, but use 'shurta' in academic or highly formal writing.
Use the Plural
Even if you are looking at one person, shouting the plural 'Itasulu' can sound more like a general cry for help to anyone listening.
Don't Forget the 'Bi'
Saying 'Ittasulu al-bulis' is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner. Always include the 'bi'!
Dialect Awareness
In Egypt, try 'Kallimu al-bulis'. In the Gulf, 'Ittasilu bish-shurta' will sound more natural.
Examples
6يا ناس، في حادث كبير، اتصلوا بالبوليس!
People, there is a big accident, call the police!
Using 'ya nas' (O people) grabs the crowd's attention.
بسرعة، اتصلوا بالبوليس الآن!
Quickly, call the police now!
The word 'bisur'a' (quickly) adds necessary urgency.
حرامي! اتصلوا بالبوليس!
Thief! Call the police!
Short and punchy for a high-adrenaline moment.
لا تتركوه يهرب، اتصلوا بالبوليس!
Don't let him escape, call the police!
Classic cinematic usage of the phrase.
هذا الطعام جريمة، اتصلوا بالبوليس!
This food is a crime, call the police!
A common hyperbolic joke among close friends.
أنا خائف، اتصلوا بالبوليس من فضلكن.
I am scared, call the police please (to a group of women).
The ending 'kun' targets a female group specifically.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
اتصلوا ___ البوليس فوراً!
The verb 'ittasala' always takes the preposition 'bi'.
Which form is correct when speaking to a group of people?
يا شباب، ____ بالبوليس!
'Itasulu' is the plural imperative form.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You see a car accident with many bystanders.
You address the group (bystanders) using the plural form.
Complete the dialogue.
A: هناك لص في البيت! B: ________!
Calling the police is the logical response to a thief in the house.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاتصلوا ___ البوليس فوراً!
The verb 'ittasala' always takes the preposition 'bi'.
يا شباب، ____ بالبوليس!
'Itasulu' is the plural imperative form.
Situation: You see a car accident with many bystanders.
You address the group (bystanders) using the plural form.
A: هناك لص في البيت! B: ________!
Calling the police is the logical response to a thief in the house.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Bulis' is great for the street and emergencies. 'Shurta' is better for formal situations or in the Gulf region.
It varies. Egypt is 122, UAE is 999, Saudi Arabia is 911 or 999. Always check before traveling!
Yes, but it's better to say 'Itasulu bil-matafi' (firefighters). However, the police will usually coordinate anyway.
It's a spelling rule in Arabic called 'Alif al-wiqaya' (the protective alif) that follows the plural 'waw'. It is not pronounced.
In an emergency, no. In any other situation, yes, it is very dramatic and potentially illegal if there's no cause.
You say 'Ana attasil bil-bulis' (أنا أتصل بالبوليس).
Use 'Ittasili bil-bulis' (اتصلي بالبوليس).
Yes, it is universally understood across the Arab world as 'police'.
Yes, in some places like Egypt, they might say 'Al-Hukuma' (The Government) to refer to the police.
Absolutely. It is a strong way to tell a harasser that you are willing to involve the authorities.
Related Phrases
اتصلوا بالشرطة
synonymCall the police (formal)
اطلبوا النجدة
similarCall for help/rescue
اتصلوا بالإسعاف
specialized formCall the ambulance
ساعدوني
builds onHelp me
