Rettungsweste
/ˈʁɛtʊŋsˌvɛstə/
The English phrase life vest is Rettungsweste in German.
Rettungsweste is used to refer to a life vest.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Rettung (rescue) and Weste (vest).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so it takes the definite article die. The plural form of Rettungsweste is Rettungswesten.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁɛtʊŋsˌvɛstə/
Did you know?
- The word Weste shares a root with the English word 'waist', as both describe the part of the body where the garment is fastened.
- When discussing safety at a public pool, a lifeguard might call a buoyant aid a Schwimmweste to avoid the alarming connotation of the word Rettung (rescue).
- The word Rettung is used in German poetry to describe a 'rescue' in a spiritual or emotional sense as well as a physical one.
Examples in context
- Kannst du mir bitte eine Rettungsweste beim Bootshaus bringen?Can you please bring me a life vest at the boathouse?
- Tragen Sie bitte eine Rettungsweste.Please wear a life vest.
- Die Rettungsweste ist im Boot.The life vest is in the boat.
- Ich brauche eine Rettungsweste.I need a life vest.
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are preparing to go out on a small boat.
- HannahHast du deine Rettungsweste dabei?Do you have your life vest with you?
- JulianJa, sie liegt direkt neben mir.Yes, it is lying right next to me.
- HannahGut, die Sicherheit ist wichtig.Good, safety is important.
- JulianStimmt, ich ziehe sie jetzt an.True, I am putting it on now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Rettungsweste, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
