German · Body & Health

"Ambulance" in German: Krankenwagen

der Krankenwagen

Say it: KRANK-en-vah-genmasculine · der Krankenwagennoun/ˈkraŋkn̩ˌvaːɡn̩/

Ambulance in German is der Krankenwagen. You may also hear der Rettungswagen. In an emergency call 112 for an ambulance.

Street scene

Der Krankenwagen kommt gleich.
The ambulance is coming soon.
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How to pronounce Krankenwagen

Say it

KRANK-en-vah-gen

/ˈkraŋkn̩ˌvaːɡn̩/

KRANK-en-vah-gen. Stress on Krank; Wagen like English vah-gen.

"Ambulance" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
der Krankenwagenambulance

Everyday word.

der Rettungswagenemergency ambulance

Also common.

der Rettungsdienstemergency medical service

The service itself.

Blaulichtblue emergency light

What you see and hear.

How to use Krankenwagen in real life

  1. 1Street scene

    Der Krankenwagen kommt gleich.

    The ambulance is coming soon.

    Der Krankenwagen.

  2. 2Phone call

    Wir brauchen einen Krankenwagen!

    We need an ambulance!

    Einen Krankenwagen.

  3. 3Hospital

    Der Krankenwagen hält vor der Notaufnahme.

    The ambulance stops in front of the ER.

    Arrival scene.

Mistakes English speakers make with Krankenwagen

Incorrect: die Krankenwagen (singular)

Correct: der Krankenwagen

Singular is masculine: der Krankenwagen.

Incorrect: Ambulance rufen (English)

Correct: Einen Krankenwagen rufen

Use the German noun.

Good to know

Ambulances use Blaulicht and often a two-tone siren. Give a clear address and stay on the line with 112 until told otherwise.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

After a bike accident

  1. ChatPal

    Soll ich den Krankenwagen rufen?

    Should I call the ambulance?

  2. You

    Ja, bitte einen Krankenwagen.

    Yes, please an ambulance.

  3. ChatPal

    Okay, ich bleibe am Telefon.

    Okay, I'll stay on the phone.

  4. You

    Danke. Der Krankenwagen braucht die Adresse.

    Thanks. The ambulance needs the address.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Ambulance" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Ambulance" in German

How do you say ambulance?

Der Krankenwagen.

Other word?

Der Rettungswagen.

Emergency number?

112.

Gender?

Masculine: der Krankenwagen.

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