ambulance
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ambulance
A special vehicle equipped with medical equipment to treat sick or injured people in an emergency and transport them quickly to the hospital. Often abbreviated as RTW in German.
Nach dem Unfall war der Rettungswagen innerhalb von Minuten vor Ort.
After the accident, the ambulance was on the scene within minutes.
The word is made up of 'die Rettung' (rescue) and 'der Wagen' (vehicle/car). 'Die Rettung' comes from the verb 'retten' (to rescue/save). So a 'Rettungswagen' is literally a 'vehicle for rescuing'.
Ein Kind hatte einen Unfall, zum Glück war der Rettungswagen schnell da.
A child had an accident; luckily the ambulance arrived quickly.
The most important and common verb combination is 'den Rettungswagen rufen' (to call an ambulance) or 'alarmieren' (to alert/call out). This is the standard phrasing in an emergency.
Wenn jemand bewusstlos ist, sollte man sofort einen Rettungswagen rufen.
If someone is unconscious, you should call an ambulance immediately.
To describe transport, you use 'mit dem Rettungswagen' (by ambulance). To describe being inside the vehicle, you say 'im Rettungswagen' (in the ambulance).
Der Verletzte wurde mit dem Rettungswagen abtransportiert.
The injured person was transported away by ambulance.
In professional usage, for example among the police, fire department, or in news reports, the abbreviation 'RTW' is often used. It is usually understood by the general public as well.
Ein RTW wurde zur Unfallstelle geschickt.
An ambulance was sent to the accident site.
ambulance
A Krankenwagen transports sick or injured people and can also refer to a scheduled transport. A Rettungswagen is specially equipped for acute emergencies and provides medical care to patients while they are being transported. In an emergency, Rettungswagen is therefore the more precise term.
Für den akuten Notfall kommt sofort ein Rettungswagen.
An ambulance is arriving immediately for the acute emergency.
Für den geplanten Transport zur Klinik kommt morgens ein Krankenwagen.
An ambulance is coming in the morning for the scheduled transport to the clinic.
