die  Ambulanz

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔambulants/

🚑 What exactly is 'die Ambulanz'?

The German word die Ambulanz primarily has two meanings:

1. The outpatient clinic / day clinic: An area in a hospital or a separate facility where patients receive medical examinations and treatments without staying overnight (ambulante Behandlung - outpatient treatment). You go there for treatment and go home afterwards.

   Example: Ich habe morgen einen Termin in der orthopädischen Ambulanz. (I have an appointment at the orthopedic outpatient clinic tomorrow.)

2. The ambulance vehicle (less common, regional): Sometimes, especially in certain regions or contexts, a vehicle for transporting the sick or injured is also called die Ambulanz. However, this is less common than der Krankenwagen or der Rettungswagen. ⚠️ Caution: The more frequent and standard German terms for the vehicle are der Krankenwagen or der Rettungswagen.

   Example (less common): Schnell, ruft die Ambulanz, hier gab es einen Unfall! (Quick, call the ambulance, there's been an accident!)

The article is always die, as the word is feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Ambulanz' in Detail

The noun "Ambulanz" is feminine. Therefore, the article is always die.

Example Sentences

• Nominative: Die Ambulanz öffnet um 8 Uhr morgens.
  (The outpatient clinic opens at 8 AM.)
• Genitive: Die Ausstattung der Ambulanz ist sehr modern.
  (The equipment of the outpatient clinic is very modern.)
• Dative: Ich warte vor der Ambulanz auf dich.
  (I am waiting for you in front of the outpatient clinic.)
• Akkusative: Wir suchen die Ambulanz für Unfallchirurgie.
  (We are looking for the trauma surgery outpatient clinic.)
• Plural: Das Krankenhaus hat mehrere spezialisierte Ambulanzen.
  (The hospital has several specialized outpatient clinics.)

💡 How 'die Ambulanz' is Used

Context 1: Medical Facility (most common meaning)

Here, "die Ambulanz" refers to the place for outpatient treatment. You often hear about specific types:

• Chirurgische Ambulanz (Surgical outpatient clinic)
• Kinderambulanz (Pediatric outpatient clinic)
• Notfallambulanz (Emergency outpatient clinic - often synonymous with Notaufnahme (emergency room), but Ambulanz can also include scheduled appointments)

In contrast to stationäre Behandlung (inpatient treatment), where you stay overnight in the hospital, you go home after a visit to die Ambulanz.

Context 2: Vehicle (less common)

When "die Ambulanz" means the vehicle, the context is usually an emergency. However, it's important to know that der Krankenwagen (for patient transport, including non-urgent ones) and der Rettungswagen (RTW) (for emergencies with medical equipment and personnel) are the more precise and much more common terms.

🚨 Avoid confusion: If you mean an emergency vehicle, it's better to use "Rettungswagen" or "Krankenwagen" to prevent misunderstandings.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Ambulanz'

1. Article Mnemonic (die):

   Imagine a caring female nurse – die good soul of the Ambulanz. Nouns ending in "-anz" in German are often feminine (like die Bilanz - balance sheet, die Distanz - distance). Think: Die Ambulanz helps thee (sounds like 'die').

2. Meaning Mnemonic (Clinic/Vehicle):

   The word comes from "ambulant" (walking, not stationary). Remember: You walk (like 'ambulate') into and out of die Ambulanz (clinic) for treatment. And sometimes die Ambulanz (vehicle) ambles (or rather, speeds!) around to pick people up.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat der Arzt immer einen roten Stift dabei? – Falls er in der Ambulanz mal Blut sehen will! 😉

English: Why does the doctor always carry a red pen? – In case he wants to see some blood (draw blood/see red ink) in the outpatient clinic! 😉

📜 Poem about 'die Ambulanz'

German:
Im weißen Haus, Tür auf, Tür zu,
kommt man mit Schmerz und sucht die Ruh'.
Die Ambulanz, sie hilft geschwind,
behandelt schnell ein jedes Kind,
und auch die Großen, alt und jung,
ambulant und mit viel Schwung.
Mal als Klinik, mal als Wagen,
kann sie Hilfe zu dir tragen.

English Translation:
In the white house, door opens, door shuts,
one comes with pain and seeks some calm.
The outpatient clinic/ambulance, it helps swiftly,
treats quickly every child,
and also the grown-ups, old and young,
as outpatients and with much verve.
Sometimes as clinic, sometimes as vehicle,
it can bring help right to you.

❓ A Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Ort, doch bleibst du nicht,
behandle dich bei Tageslicht.
Manchmal fahr' ich auch auf Rädern schnell,
bin ich zur Stelle, ist's oft hell (oder dringend!).
Mein Artikel ist feminin, merk's dir gut,
bei Not und Schmerz fass neuen Mut.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Ambulanz

English Translation:
I am a place, but you don't stay,
I treat you during light of day.
Sometimes I travel fast on wheels,
when I arrive, urgency one feels (or it's just daytime!).
My article is feminine, remember it right,
in need and pain, find your might.

What am I?
Solution: die Ambulanz

🌐 Other Interesting Facts

Word Origin:

The word "Ambulanz" comes from the Latin verb ambulare, meaning "to walk", "to wander", or "to move about". This reflects the original idea that medical care comes to the patient (like a field hospital or an ambulance vehicle) or that the patient only comes briefly for treatment and then leaves again (outpatient treatment).

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen):

There are several compound words with "Ambulanz", for example:

• Notfallambulanz (Emergency outpatient clinic)
• Ambulanzschwester / Ambulanzpfleger (Outpatient clinic nurse / orderly)
• Ambulanzflugzeug (Air ambulance)