Hospital Vocabulary in German:
30 Essential Words for Medical Professionals

If you are preparing for the Fachsprachprüfung (FSP) or planning to work as a doctor or nurse in Germany, mastering medical German is crucial. One of the most important topics is hospital vocabulary – the words and expressions commonly used in hospitals and clinics.

We have compiled 30 essential German words that will help you communicate effectively with colleagues and patients.
Main Places and Hospital Departments
  1. das Krankenhaus – hospital
  2. die Notaufnahme – emergency department
  3. die Intensivstation – intensive care unit (ICU)
  4. die Kinderabteilung – pediatric department
  5. die Poliklinik – polyclinic
  6. das Sanatorium – sanatorium
Medical Professions
7. der Arztassistent – physician assistant
8. der Abteilungsleiter – department head
9. die Allgemeinkrankenschwester – general nurse
10. die OP-Schwester – surgical nurse
11. die Oberschwester – head nurse
12. die Pflegefachkraft – nurse
13. der Laborant – laboratory technician
14. der Notfall – emergency case
15. der Oberarzt – senior physician
16. der Sanitäter – paramedic

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Medical Procedures and Terms
17. hospitalisieren – to hospitalize
18. die Infusion – infusion
19. die Spritze – syringe
20. die Einwilligungsfähigkeit – consent (for medical intervention)
21. die Erste Hilfe – first aid
22. das Krankengeld – sick pay
23. die Krankenversicherung – health insurance
24. die Morbidität – morbidity
25. die Narkologieklinik – addiction clinic
26. psychiatrische (Klinik) – psychiatric hospital
27. das Geburtshaus – maternity home

Additional Important Words
28. der Rettungswagen – ambulance
29. das Stadtkrankenhaus – city hospital
30. das Gesundheitsministerium – Ministry of Health

Learn Medical German with Us!

Of course, hospital vocabulary includes hundreds of essential terms, and it’s impossible to cover them all in one article. But you can easily learn them with our app Medical German. It contains the most useful words, example sentences, and audio recordings for correct pronunciation.


Want to deepen your knowledge in medical German?
Download the Medical German app, expand your medical vocabulary and be fully prepared for the FSP!