World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesNotruf
Pronunciation / Transliteration: noːt.ruːf
"Das sinkende Schiff sendete einen Notruf aus."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
An internationally recognized signal or message transmitted by a ship, aircraft, or individual in imminent danger requiring immediate rescue assistance.
"The sinking cargo vessel transmitted a desperate distress call before losing power." - 2
A metaphorical appeal for urgent help or intervention during a severe crisis.
"The failing company sent out a distress call to potential investors to avoid bankruptcy."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The term combines 'distress', derived from the Old French 'destrece' (narrowness, oppression, suffering) and the Latin 'districtiare' (to draw tight, afflict), with 'call', originating from Old Norse 'kalla' (to cry out). Together, the compound emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries alongside the development of maritime and aviation radio communications to designate an official signal for urgent assistance.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Distress call"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Distress call" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
appel de détresse
Transliteration: ah-pel duh de-tres
"Le navire en train de couler a émis un appel de détresse."
Notruf
Transliteration: noːt.ruːf
"Das sinkende Schiff sendete einen Notruf aus."
richiesta di soccorso
Transliteration: ri-kjes-ta di sok-kor-so
"La nave in pericolo ha lanciato una richiesta di soccorso."
llamada de socorro
Transliteration: ya-ma-da de so-ko-ro
"El avión en problemas envió una llamada de socorro."
pedido de socorro
Transliteration: pe-di-du dji su-ko-ru
"A embarcação em perigo enviou um pedido de socorro."
संकटकालीन संदेश
Transliteration: sankatkaleen sandesh
"डूबते हुए जहाज ने संकटकालीन संदेश भेजा।"
求救信号
Transliteration: qiújiù xìnhào
"沉没中的船只发出了求救信号。"
조난 신호
Transliteration: jonan sinho
"침몰하는 선박이 조난 신호를 보냈다."
遭難信号
Transliteration: sōnan shingō
"沈没しかけている船が遭難信号を発信した。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all German termsA visitor or attendee whose arrival was not anticipated or announced beforehand.
Causing strong emotional or ideological reactions because it relates to political issues, power dynamics, or government policies.
Deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss; the state of being saved.
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