German · Body & Health

"Emergency" in German: Notfall

der Notfall

Say it: NOTE-falmasculine · der Notfallnoun/ˈnoːtˌfal/

Emergency in German is der Notfall. Say Im Notfall rufe die 112 an. Related words are der Notruf (emergency call) and die Notaufnahme (ER).

Hotel lobby

Ist das ein Notfall?
Is this an emergency?
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How to pronounce Notfall

Say it

NOTE-fal

/ˈnoːtˌfal/

NOTE-fal. Stress on Not. The a in Fall is short.

"Emergency" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
der Notfallemergency

Core noun.

im Notfallin an emergency

Fixed phrase.

der Notrufemergency call / number

112 in Germany.

die Notaufnahmeemergency room

Hospital ER.

How to use Notfall in real life

  1. 1Hotel lobby

    Ist das ein Notfall?

    Is this an emergency?

    Direct yes/no check.

  2. 2Calling help

    Im Notfall wähle 112.

    In an emergency dial 112.

    Im Notfall is the set phrase.

  3. 3Pharmacy counter

    Kein Notfall, nur starke Kopfschmerzen.

    Not an emergency, just a bad headache.

    Negating Notfall.

Mistakes English speakers make with Notfall

Incorrect: die Notfall

Correct: der Notfall

Notfall is masculine: der Notfall.

Incorrect: Notfall rufen die Polizei.

Correct: Im Notfall rufe die Polizei.

Everyday phrasing uses Im Notfall plus a conjugated verb.

Good to know

In Germany, Austria, and much of Europe the all-purpose emergency number is 112. Police can also be 110 in Germany. Operators often switch to English if you ask.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Someone collapses on the street

  1. ChatPal

    Siehst du das? Ist das ein Notfall?

    Do you see that? Is this an emergency?

  2. You

    Ja, ich denke, das ist ein Notfall.

    Yes, I think this is an emergency.

  3. ChatPal

    Gut. Dann rufe ich jetzt 112.

    Good. Then I'll call 112 now.

  4. You

    Okay, ich bleibe hier bei ihm.

    Okay, I'll stay here with him.

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"Emergency" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Emergency" in German

How do you say emergency in German?

Der Notfall.

What number do you call?

112 for medical and fire; 110 for police in Germany.

Im Notfall meaning?

In an emergency / if there's an emergency.

Emergency room?

Die Notaufnahme.

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