German Phrase
Ruf 911 an für sofortige Hilfe.
Meaning
The sentence is a direct command telling someone to dial the emergency number 911 in order to get immediate assistance. It is used in urgent situations where medical, fire, or police help is needed right away.
When to use
Use this phrase when you (or someone else) are in a life‑threatening or dangerous situation and need to contact emergency services instantly. It is especially useful for German speakers living in or traveling to the United States, where 911 is the standard emergency number.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ruf911anfürsofortigeHilfe
Imperative of separable verb
‘Ruf … an’ is the singular informal imperative of the separable verb ‘anrufen’ (to call). The prefix ‘an’ moves to the end of the clause.
Purpose clause with ‘für’
‘für’ introduces a purpose and governs the accusative case; here it modifies ‘Hilfe’.
Adjective ending
‘sofortige’ is an attributive adjective before a feminine noun in the accusative, so it takes the ending ‘-e’.
🗨In Conversation
Ruf 911 an für sofortige Hilfe.
Call 911 for immediate help.
Okay, ich rufe jetzt an.
Okay, I’m calling right now.
✕Common Mistakes
Rufe 911 an für sofortige Hilfe.
‘Rufe’ is the present‑tense form, not the imperative. The correct command is ‘Ruf … an’.
Ruf 911 für sofortige Hilfe an.
While understandable, the usual word order places the separable prefix ‘an’ directly after the object: ‘Ruf 911 an für …’.
Ruf 911 an für sofortig Hilfe.
The adjective needs the correct accusative ending ‘-e’ before a feminine noun.
↔Alternatives
Ruf den Notruf an.
Call the emergency number.
Wähle 911 für sofortige Hilfe.
Dial 911 for immediate help.
Ruf sofort die 911 an.
Call 911 right away.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries the emergency number is 112, not 911. German speakers in the U.S. should remember to use 911, but when they travel back to Europe they must switch to 112. Also, calling 911 from a German mobile phone while abroad may connect you to the local emergency service instead of the U.S. system.