German · Body & Health
"Nurse" in German: Pflegekraft
die Pflegekraft
Note: also: der Krankenpfleger / die Krankenschwester
Nurse in German is die Pflegekraft — a gender-neutral job title. You also hear der Krankenpfleger and die Krankenschwester. In hospitals Pflegekräfte handle much of daily care.
Hospital visit
Die Pflegekraft erklärt mir die Tablettenzeiten.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Pflegekraft
Say it
PFLEY-guh-kraft
/ˈpfleːɡəˌkʁaft/
PFLEY-guh-kraft. Soft pf. Stress PFLEY.
"Nurse" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Pflegekraft | nurse / care worker Gender-neutral modern title. | Gender-neutral modern title. |
| die Pflegekräfte | nurses / care staff Plural. | Plural. |
| der Krankenpfleger / die Krankenschwester | male / female nurse Older gendered titles still common. | Older gendered titles still common. |
| Stationpflegekraft | ward nurse Hospital ward role. | Hospital ward role. |
How to use Pflegekraft in real life
- 1Hospital visit
Die Pflegekraft erklärt mir die Tablettenzeiten.
The nurse explains the pill times to me.
Die Pflegekraft.
- 2Night shift
Eine Pflegekraft kontrolliert stündlich den Blutdruck.
A nurse checks blood pressure every hour.
Eine Pflegekraft.
- 3Thank-you
Vielen Dank an jede Pflegekraft auf der Station.
Many thanks to every nurse on the ward.
Jede Pflegekraft.
Mistakes English speakers make with Pflegekraft
Incorrect: der Nurse
Correct: die Pflegekraft
Use Pflegekraft (or Krankenpfleger/Krankenschwester), not Nurse.
Incorrect: das Pflegekraft
Correct: die Pflegekraft
Pflegekraft is feminine as a noun form: die.
Good to know
German healthcare increasingly prefers Pflegekraft as inclusive job language. Patients still say Schwester out of habit on wards, even to male staff sometimes — Pflegekraft is clearer and more accurate.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Asking about ward routines
ChatPal
Wer misst morgens den Puls — die Pflegekraft?
Who measures the pulse in the morning — the nurse?
You
Ja. Die Pflegekraft kommt gegen sieben.
Yes. The nurse comes around seven.
ChatPal
Kann ich die Pflegekraft etwas fragen?
Can I ask the nurse something?
You
Klar. Die Pflegekraft am Empfang hilft gerne.
Sure. The nurse at reception is happy to help.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Nurse" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Nurse" in German
How do you say nurse?
Die Pflegekraft; also Krankenpfleger / Krankenschwester.
Plural?
Die Pflegekräfte.
Why not only Krankenschwester?
That form is gendered; Pflegekraft is the neutral headword here.
Gender of Pflegekraft?
The noun takes die; it names people of any gender.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
