wheelchair
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wheelchair
A chair with wheels used by people who are temporarily or permanently unable to walk.
Nach dem Unfall war sie für mehrere Monate auf einen Rollstuhl angewiesen.
After the accident, she was dependent on a wheelchair for several months.
The word is a simple compound of 'rollen' (to roll) and 'der Stuhl' (chair). So it literally describes a chair that can roll.
Ein elektrischer Rollstuhl erleichtert vielen Menschen den Alltag.
An electric wheelchair makes everyday life easier for many people.
Pay attention to the case with prepositions: You sit 'im Rollstuhl' (in a wheelchair; dative, location) or are 'auf einen Rollstuhl angewiesen' (dependent on a wheelchair; accusative, dependence). You move around 'mit dem Rollstuhl' (with/by wheelchair; dative, means).
Seit seinem Unfall sitzt er im Rollstuhl.
Since his accident, he has been in a wheelchair.
Common verbs used with 'Rollstuhl' (wheelchair) are 'im Rollstuhl sitzen' (to sit/be in a wheelchair), 'mit dem Rollstuhl fahren' (to go by wheelchair), or 'jemanden im Rollstuhl schieben' (to push someone in a wheelchair).
Der Pfleger schob den Patienten im Rollstuhl durch den Park.
The caregiver pushed the patient through the park in a wheelchair.
rollator
'der Rollstuhl' and 'der Rollator' are both aids for people who cannot move around well. The difference is important: in a wheelchair, you sit because you cannot walk, or can only walk with great difficulty. With a rollator, you walk yourself, but you hold on to it and get more stability. Learners may confuse the words because both have wheels and are often seen in everyday life with older or ill people. Memory aid: 'Rollstuhl' for sitting and being moved, 'Rollator' for walking with support.
Nach der Operation braucht mein Onkel für einige Wochen einen Rollstuhl.
After the operation, my uncle needs a wheelchair for a few weeks.
Mit dem Rollator kann die Nachbarin wieder allein zum Supermarkt gehen.
With the rollator, the neighbor can go to the supermarket by herself again.