World City Guide

Language

Although French, Italian and Romansch are spoken in other parts of Switzerland, the official language in Zurich is German. Schweizerdeutsch (Swiss German) varies considerably from Hochdeutsch (High German), to the extent that Swiss films are often shown with subtitles in Germany. There are cantonal variations, so Zürideutsch (Zurich Swiss German) is a different dialect to one in Berne, for instance. It can be difficult to pick up – there is no real written version of the dialect and it can change rather quickly, so even other Swiss people will have difficulty passing as a true Zürcher. The way language is used is also important – Swiss-Germans tend to speak fairly quietly and are known for being direct.

Gruezi is the most common greeting, and ‘thank you’ can be either Merci vielmal or Danke (pronounced ‘dankre’). English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, shops and business settings.

Phrases

Yes - Ja
No - Nei
Hello - Grüezi / Grüezi mitenand
Goodbye - Uf wiederluege
Please - Bitte schön
Thank you - Danke / Merci vielmal
My name is & - Min Name isch &
How are you? - Wie gaht’s Ihne? / Wie gaht’s?
I’m very well - Es gaht mir guet
I feel ill - Es gaht mir schlächt
How much does it cost? - Wieviel choschtet’s?
Do you speak English? - Redet Sie Änglisch?
I don’t understand - Ich verstah nöd
Where is &? - Wo isch &?
Entrance - Igang / Ifahrt
Exit - Usgang / Usfahrt
Danger - Achtung
Open - Offe
Closed - Gschlosse
Toilets - Toilette
Doctor - Arzt / Ärztin
Hotel - Hotel
Restaurant - Restaurant
Beer - Bier
Wine - Wii
Menu - Menü
Today - Hüt
Tomorrow - Morn
Monday - Mäntig
Tuesday - Zischtig
Wednesday - Mittwuch
Thursday - Dunnschtig
Friday - Fritig
Saturday - Samschtig
Sunday - Sunntig
One - Eis
Two - Zwei
Three - Drü
Four - Vier
Five - Foif
Six - Sächs
Seven -Siebe
Eight - Acht
Nine - Nün
Ten - Zäh
Twenty - Zwänzg
Thirty - Driesg
Forty - Vierzg
Fifty - Füfzg
Sixty - Sächzg
Seventy - Siebezg
Eighty - Achzg
Ninety - Nünzg
One Hundred - Hundert
One Thousand - Tusig