01
der Rückruf
callback
A phone call to someone who previously tried to reach you.
example
Ich habe Ihren Anruf verpasst, aber ich verspreche Ihnen einen Rückruf bis heute Abend.
I missed your call, but I promise you a callback by this evening.
der Rückruf
callback / recall
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Rück-' (from 'zurück', back) and 'Ruf' (from 'rufen', to call). So it literally means a 'call back', which fits all meanings.
EXAMPLE
Ich warte dringend auf einen Rückruf von meinem Arzt.
I am urgently waiting for a callback from my doctor.
Related verb
The noun 'der Rückruf' (callback/recall) is derived directly from the separable verb 'zurückrufen' (to call back/recall). You can 'jemanden zurückrufen' (call someone back), 'ein Produkt zurückrufen' (recall a product) as a manufacturer, or 'einen Diplomaten zurückrufen' (recall a diplomat) as a government.
EXAMPLE
Der Autohersteller musste Tausende Fahrzeuge zurückrufen.
The car manufacturer had to recall thousands of vehicles.
Context clues
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. If it is about telephoning, it is a call. If it is about products and companies, it is a product return/recall. If it is about politics or the military, it is the recall of a person.
EXAMPLE
Wegen eines Defekts gab es einen Rückruf für das Kinderspielzeug.
Because of a defect, there was a recall for the children's toy.
Typical collocations
In the telephone context, fixed phrases such as 'um einen Rückruf bitten' (to ask for a callback), 'einen Rückruf erhalten' (to receive a callback), or 'einen Rückruf zusagen' (to promise a callback) are very common.
EXAMPLE
Könnten Sie Herrn Meier bitte um einen Rückruf bitten?
Could you please ask Mr. Meier to call back?
Typical collocations
With product returns, people often say that a manufacturer 'einen Rückruf startet' (launches a recall) or that customers 'von einem Rückruf betroffen sind' (are affected by a recall).
EXAMPLE
Alle Kunden, die von dem Rückruf betroffen sind, erhalten eine E-Mail.
All customers affected by the recall will receive an email.
Formal context
This meaning is used almost exclusively in formal, official contexts such as news or political reports. It usually concerns diplomats, ambassadors, or soldiers.
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung ordnete den sofortigen Rückruf aller im Ausland stationierten Experten an.
The government ordered the immediate recall of all experts stationed abroad.
Compare with
Rückruf vs Anruf
call
'Anruf' and 'Rückruf' both have to do with the phone, but they do not describe the same situation. An 'Anruf' is general: someone calls another person. A 'Rückruf' happens in response to an earlier call or message. So you call back because someone previously tried to reach you. The risk of confusion is high because a 'Rückruf' is also an 'Anruf'. More precisely: every 'Rückruf' is an 'Anruf', but not every 'Anruf' is a 'Rückruf'.
Rückruf
Nach dem Unterricht hat die Ärztin um einen Rückruf gebeten.
After the lesson, the doctor asked for a callback.
Anruf
Der Anruf von meiner Schwester kam mitten im Meeting.
The call from my sister came right in the middle of the meeting.
In real life
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