Quick German Phrases For Emergencies
Nouns and Gender
German nouns are always capitalized and therefore easy to recognize in the written language. The German language has three
genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. Unfortunately, there is no general rule to suggest noun gender, so each noun needs to be learned with its article. They are:
Der = (the) masculine
Die = (the) feminine
Das = (the) neuter
The same applies to the indefinite articles. They are:
Ein = (a) masculine
Eine = (a) feminine
Ein = (a) neuter
To make matters a little more interesting, the indefinite article follows the declination of the noun, but for the purpose of short phrases these rules can be ignored.
I Need, I Have, I Want
Below see the first person singular for these important phrases:
I need = ich brauche
I have = ich habe
I’m looking for = ich suche
Remember the pronunciation of <em>ch</em> from the previous article.
Stop, Thief!
If someone has stolen your wallet, suitcase or briefcase or you feel in danger of being attacked or assaulted, say:
Help! = Hilfe!
My money has been stolen = Mein Geld ist gestohlen or (easier) Mein Geld ist weg (gone).
My suitcase has been stolen = Mein Koffer ist gestohlen or Mein Koffer ist weg.
I need help = Ich brauche Hilfe.
I need a policeman = Ich brauche die Polizei.
Where is a telephone? = Wo ist ein Telefon?
Do you speak English = Sprechen Sie englisch?
I need an interpreter = Ich brauche einen Dolmetscher.
There is the thief = Da ist der Dieb.
Short emergency exclamations:
Fire! = Feuer! (n)
Accident = Unfall (m)
Help! = Hilfe (f)
Injured people = Verletzte (f)
My husband = Mein Mann
My wife = Meine Frau
My child = Mein Kind
My friend (male) = mein Freund
My friend (female) = Meine Freundin
I Don’t Feel So Well
I have a headache = Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
I’m feeling ill = Mir ist schlecht.
I need a doctor = Ich brauche einen Arzt.
Quick! = Schnell!
I need a hospital = Ich brauche ein Krankenhaus
Where is the hospital? = Wo ist das Krankenhaus?
I have diabetes = Ich habe Diabetes.
I am allergic to.. = Ich bin alergisch gegen…
Penicillin = Penizilin (n)
Antibiotics = Antibiotika (f)
I have hayfever = Ich habe Heuschnupfen.
I have diarrhea = Ich habe Durchfall,
I need to vomit = Ich muss brechen.
My stomach hurts = Mein Bauch tut weh.
I need a specialist = ich brauche einen Spezialisten.
Accident
Car = Auto (n)
Motorbike = Motorrad (n)
Bicycle = Fahrrad (n)
Pedestrian = Fussgaenger (m)
Traffic light = Ampel (f)
Red = rot
Green = Gruen
Yellow = Gelb
Left = links
Right = rechts
Street = Strasse (f)
There is an accident = Ein Unfall ist passiert.
Call an ambulance = Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen (Ambulanz will also be understood).
He/she doesn’t move = Er/sie bewegt sich nicht.
Dead = tot
Head injury = Kopfverletzung (f)
Leg injury = Beinverletzung (f)
Arm injury = Armverletzung (f)
I’m in pain = Ich habe Schmerzen.
Blood = Blut (n)
Broken bone = gebrochener Knochen.
Unconscious = ohnmaechtig
I come with you = Ich komme mit.
Pronunciation
For online help pronouncing German words, try LEO, a German translator with pronunciation. Just type in the word you want to hear, and click on the speaker.
This post is part of the series: 30 most important German phrases
Learn about when to say Du and Sie, why the word Fraeulein has disappeared and the 30 most important phrases in German, starting with greetings and good bye.