Posted 9 Oct 2021 Good morning TTers, I hope there is someone around who knows Switzerland quite well. The Swiss have "Spitäler". Are these just run-of-the-mill hospitals or should they be called infirmaries or even something quite different? All suggestions/infos appreciated. It's a lovely day in Berlin and I shall be stuck indoors with my Spitäler prob. Sigh! Cheers all... 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 9 Oct 2021 I had an accident near luzern (Trübsee) and had to be helicoptered down to Kanton Spital Nidwalden Stans. Its was a hosipital! Orthopedic, heart department etc. Even the big "one" in Luzern is called the Luzerner Kantonspital. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 9 Oct 2021 The English "Hospital" would be called "Krankenhaus" by Germans, but the German speaking Swiss tend to call it "Spital". That's all... Have a look at this screeshot of the German wikipedia: The red marked block translates to: "Synonymously used terms are also hospital, in Austria and Switzerland also spital. " 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 9 Oct 2021 Thanks guys, that is a big help. Why didn't I think of Wikipedia? Thanks for that as well. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 9 Oct 2021 3 hours ago, franklan said: The English "Hospital" would be called "Krankenhaus" by Germans, but the German speaking Swiss tend to call it "Spital". That's all... Have a look at this screeshot of the German wikipedia: The red marked block translates to: "Synonymously used terms are also hospital, in Austria and Switzerland also spital. " In old German German as well, oder? As in the " Spitalerstrasse " in Hamburg? ( I presume, mind you)... 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 9 Oct 2021 ...so what is the difference between an infirmary and a hospital ? Same thing in my book. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 9 Oct 2021 I reckon - in English - infirmary sounds like something out of Victorian times. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 10 Oct 2021 7 hours ago, optimista said: ...so what is the difference between an infirmary and a hospital ? Same thing in my book. Quote Definition of infirmary 1 : a place (as in a school or prison) where sick or injured individuals receive care and treatment 2 : a large medical facility : hospital Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infirmary 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites