German Phrase
Das ist für Notfälle.
Meaning
This sentence states that something is intended to be used in emergency situations. It can refer to equipment, instructions, or any item that should only be accessed when an urgent problem arises.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to explain the purpose of an object, a document, a button, or a protocol that is reserved for emergency use, such as a fire extinguisher, a first‑aid kit, or a special phone line.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DasistfürNotfälle.
Das (demonstrative pronoun)
Das is a neuter demonstrative pronoun used as the subject; it agrees with a neuter noun or a general idea.
ist (sein)
ist is the 3rd person singular present of sein, linking the subject to its complement.
für + Accusative
The preposition für always governs the accusative case; here it introduces the purpose of the object.
Notfälle (plural accusative)
Notfälle is the plural form of Notfall (emergency) and appears in the accusative after für.
🗨In Conversation
Das ist für Notfälle.
That is for emergencies.
Gut, dann weiß ich, wann ich es benutzen soll.
Good, then I know when I should use it.
✕Common Mistakes
Das ist zu Notfälle.
zu does not convey the meaning of ‘for’ in this context; use für.
Das ist für Notfall.
If you keep the plural meaning, you need the plural form Notfälle; using singular without an article sounds unnatural.
Das ist für den Notfälle.
The article must match case and number; the correct form is ‘für den Notfall’ (singular) or ‘für Notfälle’ (plural).
↔Alternatives
Das ist für den Notfall.
That is for the emergency.
Das ist für Notfallzwecke.
That is for emergency purposes.
Das ist nur für Notfälle.
That is only for emergencies.
Cultural Tip
In German, the plural Notfälle is used when speaking about emergencies in general, while the singular Notfall refers to a specific incident. The preposition für always takes the accusative, so the article (if used) would be den (e.g., für den Notfall). Avoid mixing up zu, which means ‘to/toward’, with für when you mean ‘for’. Also, German speakers often label emergency equipment with clear, concise wording like this to avoid confusion in stressful situations.