The invention provides a method for initiating an emergency call and a terminal. The method comprises the following steps: after receiving an instruction, entering an emergency call interface, sent by a user, forming an emergency call list; matching an emergency number in the emergency call list with a pre-stored literal statement corresponding to a common emergency number; and at least respectively displaying a matched literal statement in corresponding operating regions; and if receiving the instruction, selected by the user, in one operating region, initiating the emergency call corresponding to the operating region. According to the method, the emergency call can be directly and correctively initiated without memorizing a specific number of the emergency call and a corresponding scene by the user. Meanwhile, an initializing manner of the emergency call is improved so as to be relatively suitable for being used by groups such as the aged and the children.