emergency call
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emergency call
A call to a special telephone number (e.g. 110 or 112) to request quick help from the police, fire brigade, or emergency medical services in an emergency situation.
Nachdem sie den Brand bemerkt hatte, setzte sie sofort einen Notruf ab.
After she noticed the fire, she immediately made an emergency call.
'Notruf' (emergency call) is made up of 'die Not' (an emergency or serious need) and 'der Ruf' (the call). So it is literally a 'call in distress'.
Bei einem Unfall ist es wichtig, schnell einen Notruf zu tätigen.
In an accident, it is important to make an emergency call quickly.
The verb used helps identify the meaning. 'Einen Notruf absetzen' describes the action of making the call. 'Den Notruf wählen' refers to dialing the telephone number.
Der Zeuge hat sofort einen Notruf abgesetzt.
The witness immediately made an emergency call.
The most fixed and common collocation for the action of calling is 'einen Notruf absetzen' (to make an emergency call). This verb is typical in more formal or official contexts such as news reports or official reports.
Die Leitstelle hat gestern Abend über hundert Notrufe erhalten.
The control center received over a hundred emergency calls last night.
In Germany and throughout the EU, the most important emergency numbers are 112 (fire brigade and emergency medical services) and 110 (police). 112 is the universal European emergency number.
Erkläre deinem Kind, wann es den Notruf benutzen darf.
Explain to your child when they are allowed to use the emergency number.
hotline
'der Notruf' and 'die Hotline' are both phone numbers or calls where you can get help. But the difference is very important: a 'Notruf' is for real emergencies, for example fire, an accident, or danger. A 'Hotline' is for advice, questions, or ordinary problems, for example with a contract or a technical fault. They can be confused because both offer help by phone. In practice: in danger, you call the emergency number; for questions or service problems, you call a hotline.
Nach dem Unfall wählte eine Zeugin sofort den Notruf.
After the accident, a witness immediately called the emergency number.
Bei Problemen mit dem Internet ruft Max die Hotline des Anbieters an.
When there are problems with the internet, Max calls the provider's hotline.