German Phrase
Wähl die Notrufnummer bei lebensbedrohlichen Situationen.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to dial the emergency number whenever a situation threatens a person’s life. It is a clear, urgent instruction that emphasizes the seriousness of the circumstance.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to give a direct, informal command to a friend, family member, or colleague in a life‑threatening emergency – for example, after a serious accident, a heart attack, or a fire.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WähldieNotrufnummerbeilebensbedrohlichenSituationen
Imperativ (du‑Form)
‘Wähl’ is the du‑imperative of ‘wählen’; it is used for direct, informal commands.
Akkusativobjekt
‘die Notrufnummer’ is the direct object and therefore stands in the accusative case.
Präposition ‘bei’ + Dativ
‘bei’ always governs the dative; ‘lebensbedrohlichen Situationen’ is dative plural.
Adjektivdeklination im Dativ Plural
With the definite article ‘die’ in dative plural, the adjective takes the ending ‘‑en’ → ‘lebensbedrohlichen’.
🗨In Conversation
Mein Freund hat plötzlich starke Brustschmerzen und ich weiß nicht, was ich tun soll.
My friend suddenly has severe chest pains and I don’t know what to do.
Wähl die Notrufnummer bei lebensbedrohlichen Situationen.
Dial the emergency number in life‑threatening situations.
✕Common Mistakes
Wählen die Notrufnummer bei lebensbedrohlichen Situationen.
‘Wählen’ is the infinitive; you need the imperative ‘Wähl’ for a direct command.
bei lebensbedrohliche Situationen
After ‘bei’ the noun phrase must be dative, so the adjective needs the ‘‑en’ ending.
Wähl Sie die Notrufnummer bei lebensbedrohlichen Situationen.
If you use the formal ‘Sie’ form, the verb changes and the article stays the same: ‘Wählen Sie die Notrufnummer…’. Mixing du‑imperative with ‘Sie’ is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Ruf die Notrufnummer an, wenn es lebensbedrohlich ist.
Call the emergency number if it is life‑threatening.
Im Notfall wähl sofort die Notrufnummer.
In an emergency, dial the emergency number immediately.
Bei einer akuten Gefahr sofort die Notrufnummer wählen.
In an acute danger, immediately choose the emergency number.
Cultural Tip
In Germany the universal emergency number is 112 (fire brigade and medical services) and 110 (police). When you say ‘die Notrufnummer’, most Germans will think of 112. It’s polite to stay calm, state your location clearly, and answer the operator’s questions without hesitation. In formal contexts you would use the Sie‑imperative: ‘Wählen Sie die Notrufnummer…’. The informal du‑imperative is common among friends or in urgent, on‑the‑spot instructions.