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German Phrase

Kühl die Verbrennung mit kühlem, fließendem Wasser.

/kyːl diː fɛɐ̯ˈbʁɛnʊŋ mɪt ˈkyːləm ˈfliːsəndəm ˈvasɐ/
Meaning"Cool the burn with cool, flowing water."
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Meaning

The sentence is a direct instruction to cool a burn by applying cool, continuously flowing water. It follows standard German first‑aid advice: the water should be cool (not ice‑cold) and run steadily to carry heat away from the skin.

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When to use

Use this phrase in a medical or first‑aid context, for example when you or someone else has suffered a minor burn and you need to give immediate, practical help.

✦Grammar Breakdown

KühldieVerbrennungmitkühlemfließendemWasser

1

Imperativ von *kühlen*

‘Kühl’ is the du‑imperative of the verb *kühlen* (to cool). It is used for direct commands addressed to one person.

2

Akkusativobjekt

‘die Verbrennung’ is the accusative form of the feminine noun *die Verbrennung* (the burn). The article ‘die’ shows the accusative case here.

3

Präposition *mit* + Dativ

The preposition *mit* always governs the dative case, so ‘Wasser’ becomes ‘dem Wasser’ and the adjectives receive dative endings.

4

Attributive Adjektive im Dativ

After *mit* the adjectives ‘kühl’ and ‘fließend’ take weak dative endings: *kühlem* and *fließendem*.

🗨In Conversation

A

Kühl die Verbrennung mit kühlem, fließendem Wasser.

Cool the burn with cool, flowing water.

Okay, ich halte das Wasser laufen.

Okay, I’ll keep the water running.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Kühl der Verbrennung mit kühlem, fließendem Wasser.

    ‘Verbrennung’ is the direct object of the verb ‘kühlen’, so it must be in the accusative case, not dative.

  • Kühl die Verbrennung mit kühle, fließendem Wasser.

    After the preposition *mit* the adjective needs a dative ending: *kühlem Wasser*.

  • Kühl die Verbrennung mit eisigem Wasser.

    Ice‑cold water can damage tissue; the standard advice is ‘kühl’ or ‘kalt’, not ‘eisig’.

↔Alternatives

  • Kühle die Verbrennung mit kaltem, fließendem Wasser.

    Cool the burn with cold, flowing water.

  • Spüle die Verbrennung unter kühlem, laufendem Wasser ab.

    Rinse the burn under cool, running water.

  • Kühl die Verbrennung, indem du kühles Wasser darüber laufen lässt.

    Cool the burn by letting cool water run over it.

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Cultural Tip

German first‑aid guidelines (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallmedizin) recommend cooling a burn with running water for at least 10–20 minutes, but never using ice or extremely cold water, as that can cause further tissue damage. The phrase reflects the precise, practical style typical of German medical instructions.