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 ch 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.

1. Key German Greetings and Some Basic Formalities
2. Learning German, Part 2: Pronunciation, Asking Directions and the Time
3. Learning German, Part 3: Easy Phrases Dealing With Emergencies