Survive
Basic Swiss German
Warning: expressions do vary for different dialects. This is more to give a basic idea how swiss german is. Really learning it is not such an easy thing. To learn German and at a later stage Swiss german check out UZH Sprachzentrum. These are language classes at Uni or ETH for students.
For Starters
- Hallo/Hoi = hello (informal)
- Tschüss = bye (informal)
- Grüezi = hello (formal)
- Uf wiederluege = see you (formal)
- Hoi zäme/ Tschüss zäme = hello/goodbye together (informal)
- Dankä vilmol = thanks a lot
- Wie häsch?/Wiä gaht's? = How are you? (informal)
- Merci guät und dir? = I'm fine, thanks and you?
- Schöns Wuchenend/ Schöne Abig/ Schöne Tag = Have a nice weekend/evening/day
A bit more advanced ;)
- I het gern drü Stange = I'll get three beer on tap
- Hey, kunnsch mit in usgang hüt obet? Jo e, aber i kum mit em Velo. = Hey mate, wanna go out tonight? Sure but i'll come by bike.
- Chasch mer nöd s'Appezeller Fondue, de Chnobli und d' Fläsche Wiiswii us em Chuchichästli geh = Could you hand me the Appenzeller fondue, the garlic and the bottle of white wine out of the kitchen cupboard?
- Chönd si mer säge wos do zu de nögschte Alphütte goht? = Could you tell me the way to the next alp hut?
Health
Emergency numbers
- Firefighters: 118
- Police: 117
- Ambulance: 144
- Swiss poisons information centre (for intoxicated people/ animals): 145 (emergency) or 044 251 51 51
- Swiss poisons information centre (for information only): 044 251 66 66
- Rega: 1414 (alpine rescue (helicopter))