The German word for rescue or salvation is die Rettung.
It refers to the act of saving someone from danger—physically, emotionally, or even metaphorically. You’ll hear it in medical emergencies, dramatic stories, and political speeches.

It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and vital for understanding both literal and figurative expressions of being saved.

Gender and Pronunciation

It’s a feminine noun: die Rettung.
The ending -ung is almost always feminine—learn this pattern and more in our video lesson.

Pronunciation:
Rettung is pronounced [REH-toong]

• “REH” rhymes with pay

• “toong” sounds like tongue without the “ue”
  Two syllables: REH-toong

Example sentences

Die Rettung kam in letzter Sekunde.
The rescue came at the last second.

Der Hund wurde aus dem Fluss gerettet – eine echte Rettung.
The dog was rescued from the river—a real rescue.

Sie hofft auf Rettung aus der schwierigen Lage.
She hopes for rescue from her difficult situation.

Nuance and usage tips

🚑 Rettung is used for emergency services, especially medical ones—Rettungswagen (ambulance), Rettungsdienst (rescue service), Seenotrettung (sea rescue).

🙏 In emotional or spiritual contexts, it can mean salvation, a lifeline, or last-minute help: Sie war seine Rettung (She was his salvation).

🗣️ It can also appear in broader, dramatic expressions: Rettung der Demokratie, Rettung der Umwelt.

How does this word come up in real conversations?

"Zum Glück kam die Rettung schnell."
Luckily, the rescue arrived quickly.

"Die Organisation kümmert sich um Rettung von Tieren."
The organization handles animal rescues.

"Er sieht in ihr seine letzte Rettung."
He sees her as his last hope.

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Jasmin: Was ist da passiert?
Paul: Ein Unfall. Die Rettung ist schon unterwegs.
Jasmin: Hoffentlich ist niemand verletzt.
Paul: Ich glaube, alle sind okay.

Translation:
Jasmin: What happened?
Paul: An accident. The rescue team is already on the way.
Jasmin: Hopefully no one’s hurt.
Paul: I think everyone’s okay.

Grammatical case examples

Nominative:
Die Rettung war schnell vor Ort.
The rescue arrived quickly.

Accusative:
Wir brauchen dringend die Rettung.
We urgently need the rescue team.

Dative:
Mit der Rettung kam auch Hoffnung.
Hope arrived with the rescue.

Genitive:
Die Umstände der Rettung waren unklar.
The circumstances of the rescue were unclear.

Other ways to say rescue in German

Bergung is used for recovering bodies or objects (e.g. Bergung eines Wracks). Rettung always implies something living being saved. For salvation in a religious context, Erlösung is also used.

Word variations and tidbits

You’ll encounter Rettung in words like:

• Rettungswagen – ambulance

• Rettungsdienst – rescue service

• Rettungsring – life preserver

• Notrettung – emergency rescue

• Selbstrettung – self-rescue

🧠 Fun fact: The verb retten means “to rescue,” and its reflexive form sich retten means “to save oneself” or “escape.” It’s related to Retter (rescuer) and Gerettet! (Saved!)—a headline word in German tabloids.

📘 Duden entry for Rettung:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Rettung
🎥 Want to rescue your German vocab from confusion? Our video course teaches 1000 key nouns—clearly, visually, and with life-saving context.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Ring means? Sometimes the Rettung happens inside it.
And what about Roman? There’s usually a Rettung before the final page.