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.
emergency number
The central telephone number itself that is intended for emergencies.
Jedes Kind sollte den Notruf für die Feuerwehr und die Polizei kennen.
Every child should know the emergency number for the fire brigade and the police.
'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.
police call / Polizeiruf
Notruf is the usual term for an urgent call made through a special emergency number, even when the police are contacted. Polizeiruf can refer to a call to the police, but it is uncommon and is not limited to acute emergencies. In an emergency, Notruf is therefore usually the appropriate term.
Wegen des bewaffneten Mannes setzte die Zeugin sofort einen Notruf ab.
Because of the armed man, the witness immediately made an emergency call.
Der Polizeiruf der Zeugin betraf eine verdächtige Beobachtung, aber keinen akuten Notfall.
The witness's call to the police concerned a suspicious observation, but not an acute emergency.
