German word

Notdienst

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnoːtˌdiːnst/

Meaning

  • masculine nounemergency duty

Example

Heute übernimmt die Ärztin den Notdienst.

Today, the doctor is covering emergency duty.

Illustration for Notdienst (emergency duty)

More examples

Er musste gestern Abend den Notdienst rufen.

He had to call the emergency service yesterday evening.

Core concept

A designated professional takes urgent cases when the usual office, shop, or practice is closed.

Common phrases

  • ärztlicher Notdienst

    medical emergency duty

  • den Notdienst rufen

    call the emergency service

Similar words

Bereitschaftsdienst: Rotating on-call duty during specified hours at a workplace or hospital.
Rufbereitschaft: Availability for call-outs while waiting at home or another private location.
Rettungsdienst: Emergency medical service transporting patients and giving initial treatment at the scene.
Notaufnahme: Hospital unit that assesses emergency patients and provides their first treatment.

Definition in German

Dienst, bei dem Fachpersonal außerhalb der regulären Arbeitszeit wechselnd für akute Notfälle zur Verfügung steht.

Word origin

The compound joins Not with Dienst to name organized duty for emergencies.

Usage tips

  • Im Notdienst sein means being assigned to this duty, while den Notdienst übernehmen means taking it over.

Other meanings

  • on-call dutynoun
  • emergency servicenoun

Opposites

  • Normalbetriebnormal operationnoun

Related words

  • Notdienststelleemergency service officenoun
  • Notdienstnummeremergency service numbernoun

Word lists with this word