Help and emergencies in German
The words you hope to never need. Play the ten German words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 German phrases in this lesson
- Hilfe!HIL-feh
- Help!
- Rufen Sie einen ArztROO-fen zee EYE-nen ARTST
- Call a doctor
- Polizeipo-li-TSYE
- Police
- Apothekeah-po-TAY-keh
- Pharmacy
- KrankenhausKRAN-ken-hows
- Hospital
- Ich habe mich verlaufenikh HAH-beh mikh fer-LOW-fen
- I'm lost
- Mir ist nicht gutmeer IST nikht GOOT
- I don't feel well
- Es wurde gestohlenes VOOR-deh ge-SHTOH-len
- It was stolen
- Es ist ein Notfalles ist ine NOHT-fal
- It's an emergency
- Lassen Sie mich in RuheLAS-en zee mikh in ROO-eh
- Leave me alone
Shout this loudly and clearly in any emergency. Germans are generally quick to respond. "Hilfe!" is universally understood across all German-speaking countries.
Direct and urgent. In Germany dial 112 for an ambulance (European emergency number). 110 is the police. Both are free from any phone.
The emergency number for police in Germany is 110. For less urgent matters, look for a "Polizeirevier" (police station). Officers are generally approachable.
German pharmacies are marked with a red "A" sign. Pharmacists are highly trained and can advise on minor ailments without a prescription. After-hours duty pharmacies are listed in the window.
A compound of "krank" (sick) and "Haus" (house). For A&E go to the "Notaufnahme." Carry your EHIC card or travel insurance details.
Literally "I have walked myself lost," used when lost on foot. If lost by car or transport, say "Ich habe mich verfahren." Both are understood.
Literally "it is not good for me." Simple and clear. You can also say "Ich fühle mich nicht wohl" (I do not feel well) for a slightly fuller explanation.
The passive construction used in a police report. You will need this phrase to obtain a crime reference number for your travel insurance claim.
The emergency number is 112.
Literally "leave me in peace".