Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitäter | /ˌzaniˈtɛːtɐ/ /ˌzaniˈteːtɐ/ |
masculine |
| Sanitäterin | /zaniˈtɛːtəʁɪn/ /-ˈteːtəʁɪn/ |
|
| Rettungssanitäter | masculine | |
| Rettungssanitäterin | feminine | |
| Sanitätspersonal | collective, neuter, noun |
A paramedic is a person trained to stabilize people outside of a hospital. While Sanitäter is the general term, Rettungssanitäter is a more specific term often used to denote the professional qualification for emergency medical responders. In formal medical contexts, the term Notfallsanitäter is used to refer to a paramedic with additional qualifications and training in emergency medicine.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Sanitäter is composed of Sanität (medical/health) and the suffix -er denoting a person who performs a specific role.
Which one should you use?
Sanitäter refers to an individual paramedic, whereas Sanitätspersonal is a collective noun used to refer to the medical personnel as a whole. Rettungssanitäter is a more specific term for an emergency paramedic.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female paramedic, you must use the feminine form Sanitäterin.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌzaniˈtɛːtɐ/
Did you know?
- The term Sanität is actually a linguistic 'false friend' because it does not mean 'sanitation' as it does in English. In German, it refers specifically to medical care and health-related matters.
- In Germany, the Notarzt is a specialized emergency physician who often accompanies the Notfallsanitäter in the ambulance to the scene.
- The root of the word Sanitäter traces back to the Latin 'sanitas', meaning 'health'. This is the same root found in the English word 'sanity', though the meanings have diverged significantly.
Examples in context
- Tom ist doch Sanitäter, oder?Tom is a paramedic, isn't he?This sentence is useful for confirming someone's profession with Sanitäter.Tatoeba #7547677 by Luiaard, translation #6899195 by CK
- Ein Sanitäter hob den bewusstlosen Mann auf.A paramedic lifted the unconscious man.This sentence is useful for describing an action performed by a Sanitäter.Tatoeba #4938702 by Esperantostern, translation #12091459 by sundown
- Ich bin Sanitäter.I'm a paramedic.This sentence is useful for stating your own profession using Sanitäter.Tatoeba #8361652 by Luiaard, translation #5853149 by CK
- Der Rettungsassistent kümmerte sich professionell um den Verletzten.The paramedic professionally took care of the injured person.
- Die Rettungsassistenten arbeiteten schnell und effizient bei dem Autounfall.The paramedics worked quickly and efficiently at the car accident.
- Ich möchte Sanitäter werden und Menschen in Not helfen.I want to become a paramedic and help people in need.
- Da vorne sind die Sanitäter. Lass uns zu ihnen gehen.There are the paramedics up ahead. Let's go to them.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are discussing a medical emergency they saw on the street.
- FelixHast du den Sanitäter gesehen?Did you see the paramedic?
- SarahJa, er hat sehr schnell geholfen.Yes, he helped very quickly.
- FelixEin Sanitäter muss wirklich ruhig bleiben.A paramedic really has to stay calm.
- SarahDas stimmt, er war sehr professionell.That's true, he was very professional.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “paramedic” translations and entries Sanitäter, Sanitäterin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sanitäter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
