Swiss German

There are four official languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Romansch (Rhaeto-Romanic). They are spoken in four different regions of the country with German being the predominant language spoken in Switzerland. Although standard German is the official language taught in schools, the Swiss have their own variation of the language known as Swiss German. It is the spoken everyday language of all social levels throughout Switzerland. Swiss German is not a written language and all German-speaking Swiss educated in modern day schools are also able to speak standard German. Nevertheless it is useful to learn a few Swiss German words before visiting Switzerland. The Swiss German dialects can vary depending on what region of Switzerland you may be in, but we have put together some common phrases that can be used throughout the German speaking area of Switzerland. If you want to join Alpenwild on one of our guided tours, you can impress the locals by using a few common Swiss German words.  

Swiss German pronunciation guide: Vowels (Doubled vowels are pronounced longer than single ones.)

• ä- as in bear or in paid
• a- as in master or far
• e- as in end or pen
• i- as in eel or machine
• ö - eu as in fleur
• u -as in boot
• ü-  eu as in fleur, with rounded lips

 Diphthongs -- (two different vowels next to each other in the same syllable) are pronounced with emphasis on the first vowel.

• äi, ou, ie, ue, üeare pronounced as written.
• euis pronounced like ä + u
• öiis somewhere between o + i and ö + i

 Consonants (Like with vowels, double consonants are pronounced longer.)

• b, d, f, g, h, l, m, n, ng, s: same as in English
• ch- as in loch
• d - t as in pat when in final position
• gg- as in scale
• j- as in yet
• k- like gg + ch
• p- as in spit (not as in pit)
• sch- as in cash or sheep
• st, sp- usually scht, schp
• t- as in stack (not as in tack)
• v- same as f
• w- as in vane
• z - ts as in cats