Swiss German Phrasebook
Swiss German Basics
Swiss German (Schwyzerdütsch) is the spoken everyday language in the German-speaking part of Switzerland — with hundreds of local variants. The written language is High German, but in everyday life, in SMS, emails, and even in advertising, the dialect dominates. For Germans, Swiss German initially sounds like a foreign language — the melody, the vowels, and many words are completely different.
The Most Important Expressions
| Swiss German | High German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Grüezi | Good day (formal) | grüe-zi |
| Hoi | Hello (informal) | hoj |
| Merci (vilmal) | Thank you (very much) | mär-si (vil-mal) |
| Uf Widerluege | Goodbye | uf wider-lue-ge |
| Adie | Bye | a-djee |
| Bitte | Please | bit-te |
| Exgüsi | Excuse me | ex-güü-si |
| Wie gaht's? | How are you? | wie gaats? |
| Guet, merci | Good, thanks | guet, mär-si |
| Proscht! | Cheers! | proscht |
| En Guete! | Enjoy your meal! | en gue-te |
| Ich verstah nöd | I don't understand | ich ver-schtah nöd |
| Chönted Si mir helfe? | Can you help me? | chön-ted si mir hel-fe |
| Wo isch...? | Where is...? | wo isch...? |
| Was choschtet das? | How much does that cost? | was chosch-tet das? |
| S'Znacht | Dinner | s-z-nacht |
| S'Zmorge | Breakfast | s-z-mor-ge |
| S'Znüni | Morning snack | s-z-nü-ni |
Typical Differences from High German
- No "ck": "Brücke" → "Brugg", "Stück" → "Stuck"
- Ch instead of K: "Kind" → "Chind", "Kuchen" → "Chueche"
- Li instead of Lein/Chen: "Brötchen" → "Brötli", "Häuschen" → "Hüsli"
- French Loanwords: "Merci" (thank you), "Velo" (bicycle), "Billet" (ticket), "Trottoir" (sidewalk), "Coiffeur" (hairdresser)
- Other Words: "Natel" (cell phone), "Spital" (hospital), "Pneu" (tire), "Kondukteur" (conductor)
The Greeting Kisses (Three!)
In the German-speaking part of Switzerland, friends and acquaintances greet each other with three kisses on the cheeks: left, right, left. In Romandie: also three. In Germany and Austria: usually only one or two. At the first meeting, a handshake is sufficient — the three kisses are reserved for acquaintances. Don't be startled when it happens!
Tipp
A "Grüezi" in the morning at the hotel reception, a "Merci vilmal" in the restaurant, and an "Uf Widerluege" when saying goodbye — with these three expressions, you instantly earn sympathy points. The Swiss appreciate it when guests respect their language. And: Never say "Guten Tag" like a German — say "Grüezi" (pronounced: grüe-zi with a long ü).
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