der  Chefarzt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃɛfaʁtst/

🩺 What does "der Chefarzt" mean?

Der Chefarzt is a senior physician in a German hospital or clinic. They typically head a medical department (e.g., Chirurgie - surgery, Innere Medizin - internal medicine, Radiologie - radiology) or even an entire clinic. The Chefarzt holds overall medical responsibility for their department, supervises and trains subordinate doctors (Oberärzte - senior physicians/consultants, Assistenzärzte - resident doctors), and often has administrative and economic duties.

It refers to a male position. The female form is die Chefärztin.

⚠️ Note: The position of Chefarzt is a high hierarchical level within the German hospital system.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "Chefarzt" in Detail

The word "Chefarzt" is a masculine noun. The definite article is der.

Declension Singular (Einzahl)

Declension Plural (Mehrzahl)

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Der Chefarzt betrat den Operationssaal.
   (The chief physician entered the operating room.)
2. Die Entscheidung des Chefarztes war endgültig.
   (The chief physician's decision was final.)
3. Ich habe heute einen Termin bei dem Chefarzt.
   (I have an appointment with the chief physician today.)
4. Wir haben den Chefarzt zu seiner Meinung befragt.
   (We asked the chief physician for his opinion.)
5. Die Chefärzte der verschiedenen Abteilungen trafen sich zur Besprechung.
   (The chief physicians of the different departments met for a discussion.)

🗣️ How to use "Chefarzt"

The term "Chefarzt" is primarily used in the context of hospitals and clinics in German-speaking countries.

• Hierarchy: It denotes the highest medical position within a department or clinic, above the Oberarzt (senior physician/consultant) and the Assistenzarzt (resident doctor/doctor in training).
• Address: When addressing a Chefarzt directly, Germans often use "Herr Doktor [Last Name]" or more formally "Herr Chefarzt [Last Name]".
• Responsibility: The term implies a high level of professional expertise and leadership responsibility.
• Distinction: An Oberarzt reports to the Chefarzt but often leads a specific section within the department. An Assistenzarzt is a doctor undergoing specialist training. A Facharzt is a specialist physician who has completed their training; they can hold various positions, including Oberarzt or Chefarzt.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: A chief is often a male role (masculine), so it's der Chefarzt. Think of "der leader".

Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: Chef (chief/boss) + Arzt (doctor). The Chefarzt is the chief doctor of their department.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Chefarzt

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Assistenzarzt den Chefarzt: "Herr Chefarzt, warum verschreiben Sie dem Patienten mit Schlafstörungen ausgerechnet Abführmittel?"
Antwortet der Chefarzt: "Damit er sich nicht mehr traut, sich im Bett umzudrehen!" 😉

Translation:
The resident doctor asks the chief physician: "Dr. Chief Physician, why are you prescribing laxatives for the patient with insomnia?"
The chief physician replies: "So he won't dare to turn over in bed anymore!" 😉

📜 Poem about the Chefarzt

Der Chefarzt kommt, mit weißem Kittel,
In seiner Hand das Wissensmittel.
Er leitet die Abteilung klug,
Hat für die Kranken Zeit genug?
Trägt Verantwortung, Tag und Nacht,
Hat stets die Diagnose parat.
Ein Mann von Rang, mit viel Respekt,
Der oft den rechten Weg entdeckt.

Translation:
The chief physician comes, in a white coat,
In his hand, the means of knowledge.
He leads the department wisely,
Does he have enough time for the sick?
Bears responsibility, day and night,
Always has the diagnosis ready.
A man of rank, with much respect,
Who often discovers the right path.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich trage Weiß, doch bin kein Maler.
Ich leite Ärzte, doch bin kein General.
Ich arbeite im Haus der Kranken schwer.
Sag, wer bin ich, bitte sehr?

Translation:
I wear white, but am no painter.
I lead doctors, but am no general.
I work hard in the house of the sick.
Tell me, who am I, please?

Solution: Der Chefarzt (The chief physician)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition: The word "Chefarzt" is a compound noun, formed from:

• Chef: chief, head, boss (from French)
• Arzt: doctor, physician

Hospital Hierarchy (simplified):

1. Chefarzt / Chefärztin (Chief Physician)
2. Oberarzt / Oberärztin (Senior Physician / Consultant)
3. Facharzt / Fachärztin (Specialist Physician)
4. Assistenzarzt / Assistenzärztin (Resident Doctor / Doctor in Training)

The position of Chefarzt is often associated with a high income but also significant responsibility and workload.