Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ambulance | /ˌɑm.byˈlɑn.sə/ | masculine |
| ziekenwagen | /ˈzi.kə(n)ˌʋaː.ɣə(n)/ | masculine |
| ziekenauto | /ˈzi.kə(n)ˌɑu̯.toː/ /ˈzi.kə(n)ˌoː.toː/ |
masculine |
While ambulance is the standard term used when calling for emergency services, the other forms are also used to describe the vehicle itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ziekenwagen is a compound formed from zieken, meaning sick people and wagen, meaning vehicle or wagon.
Which one should you use?
ambulance is the most common term in modern, everyday speech and is the standard word used when requesting emergency services (for example, when saying 'call an ambulance'). ziekenwagen and ambulance are often used interchangeably to refer to the vehicle.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brussels Dutch, the term ziekenwagen is commonly used to refer to an ambulance.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms are masculine nouns. The plural of ambulance is ambulances.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˌɑm.byˈlɑn.sə/. It has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
When do people say it?
In the Netherlands, 112 is the emergency number to call for emergency services.
Did you know?
- The Dutch word ambulance is borrowed from French, where the original meaning of the word was 'mobile hospital' or 'walking hospital'.
- In Dutch medical jargon, a high-priority emergency call is sometimes referred to as an A1 call, which triggers a full-speed ambulance response with sirens.
- In the Netherlands, the word ambulance is often used as a shorthand for the paramedics inside the vehicle, not just the car itself.
Examples in context
- Ik belde een ambulance.I called an ambulance.This sentence shows how to use the form ambulance to say you called one.Tatoeba #7304424 by MarijnKp, translation #7302922 by CK
- Ik heb een ambulance nodig.I need an ambulance.This sentence shows how to use the form ambulance to express a need for one.Tatoeba #9713981 by megamanenm, translation #2387475 by CK
- Ik zal een ambulance bellen.I'll call for an ambulance.This sentence shows how to use the form ambulance to say you will call for one.Tatoeba #6579120 by Micsmithel, translation #2544296 by CK
- Ik heb een ambulance nodigI need an ambulance
- Bel alsjeblieft een ambulancePlease call an ambulance
- Er is een ongeluk gebeurd, bel onmiddellijk een ambulanceAn accident has occurred, call an ambulance immediately
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are walking down a busy street in Amsterdam.
- LucasHoor je die ambulance?Do you hear that ambulance?
- EmmaJa, hij rijdt heel hard.Yes, it is driving very fast.
- LucasIk hoop dat het niet erg is.I hope it is nothing serious.
- EmmaDat hoop ik ook, Lucas.I hope so too, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ambulance” translations and entries ambulance, ziekenwagen, ziekenauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ambulance, ziekenauto, ziekenwagen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
