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Emergencies

Calling 112, saying what happened, and reporting it at the police station.

33 words · Level A2

GermanTranslationListen
der NotrufNotrufeemergency call; emergency number
der NotfallNotfälleemergency
die FeuerwehrFeuerwehrenfire department
die PolizeiPolizeienpolice
die PolizeiwachePolizeiwachenpolice station
der KrankenwagenKrankenwagenambulance
die HilfeHilfenhelp
helfento help
rettento save
das FeuerFeuerfire
brennento burn; to sting
der RauchRauchesmoke
der NotausgangNotausgängeemergency exit
verletzento injure, to hurt; to hurt
bewusstlosunconscious
die GefahrGefahrendanger
gefährlichdangerous
die VorsichtVorsichtencaution
meldento report; to get in touch; to raise one's hand
der ZeugeZeugenwitness
der DiebstahlDiebstähletheft
stehlento steal
der DiebDiebethief
der EinbruchEinbrücheburglary; onset
der ÜberfallÜberfällerobbery
der Betrugfraud
die AnzeigeAnzeigenadvertisement; police report; display
sperrento close; to block
verlierento lose
das FundbüroFundbüroslost and found
der NotdienstNotdiensteemergency service
der BereitschaftsdienstBereitschaftsdiensteon-call duty
der SchadenSchädendamage, harm

How these words get used

Two numbers. 112 reaches the Feuerwehr and the Krankenwagen, and it works across the EU. 110 reaches the Polizei. On a Notruf the operator leads with questions: where you are, what happened, how many people are verletzt. Stay on the line until they say you can hang up.

For something urgent but not life-threatening outside surgery hours, the medical Bereitschaftsdienst answers on 116 117. Pharmacies take turns running a night and Sunday Notdienst. If your bank card is gone, 116 116 is the number to sperren it.

helfen takes the dative: Können Sie mir helfen? Shouting Hilfe! or Feuer! needs no grammar at all. Vorsicht! is the warning you will see on signs and hear called out.

After a Diebstahl or an Einbruch you file an Anzeige at the Polizeiwache, and insurers usually want to see it. The same word means an advertisement, so eine Anzeige aufgeben in a newspaper is harmless. Lost property goes to the Fundbüro.

Translations are written with AI and checked as I go. If one looks wrong, reply to any email and tell me.