Useful Swiss German phrases

A collection of useful phrases in Swiss German. These are in the Basel dialect (Baseldütsch) for which there is no standard written form - the spelling used here is that of Patrick Rensch.

Jump to phrases

See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.

Key to abbreviations: sg = said to one person, pl = said to more than one person, inf = informal, frm = formal.

English Schwyzerdütsch (Swiss German)
Welcome Wilkomme
Hello (General greeting) Grüezi (frm)
Sali (inf)
Grüezi mittenand (pl/frm)
Sali zämme (pl/inf)
How are you? Wie goots Ihne? (frm)
Wie goots? (inf)
Reply to 'How are you?' Dangge, guet, und Ihne? (frm)
Dangge, guet, und dir? (inf)
Long time no see Mr hänn is schon lang nümme g'seh.
What's your name? Wie isch Ihre name? (frm)
Wie heissisch Du? (inf)
My name is ... I heisse ...
Mi name isch ...
Where are you from? Wohär sind Sie (frm)
Wohär bisch Du? (inf)
I'm from ... Ich bi vo ...
Pleased to meet you Fröit mi
Good morning
(Morning greeting)
Guete Morge
Good afternoon
(Afternoon greeting)
Gueten Abig
Guete Daag
Good evening
(Evening greeting)
Gueten Oobe
Good night Guet Nacht
Goodbye
(Parting phrases)
Uf Widerluege
Ciao
Tschüss
Bis spöter
Sali
Adieu
Good luck! Viel Glück
Alles Gueti
Cheers! Good Health!
(Toasts used when drinking)
Broscht!
Have a nice day Ich wünsch Ihne e schöne Daag (frm)
Ich wünsch Dir e schöne Daag (inf)
Bon appetit /
Have a nice meal
En Guete!
Bon voyage /
Have a good journey
Gueti Reis!
I understand Ich verstand
I don't understand Ich verstand nit
Please speak more slowly Bitte schwätze Sie langsamer (frm)
Bitte schwätz langsamer (inf)
Please write it down Bitte schriibe Sie das uf (frm)
Bitte schriib das uf (inf)
Do you speak Swiss German? Könne Sie Schwitzerdütsch reede? (frm)
Kasch Du Schwitzerdütsch reede? (inf)
Yes, a little
(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
Yo, e bitz
How do you say ... in Swiss German? Wie sait me ... uf Schwizerdütsch?
Excuse me Entschuldigung
Exgüüsi
How much is this? Was koschtet das?
Sorry Es duet mr leid
Thank you Merci
Merci vielmal
Dangge
Reply to thank you Nüt z'dangge
Gäärn gscheh
Where's the toilet / bathroom? Wo isch d'Toilette?
This gentleman will pay for everything Däh Herr zahlt für alles
This lady will pay for everything Die Dame zahlt für alles
Would you like to dance with me? Möchtesch Du mit mir danze?
I love you Ich liib dich
I ha Di gärn
Get well soon Gueti Besserig
Leave me alone! Löhn Si mi in Ruh (frm)
Loh mi in Ruh (inf)
Help! Hilfe!
Fire! Füür!
Stop! Halt!
Call the police! Riefe Sie dr Polizei! (frm)
Rief dr Polizei! (inf)
Christmas greetings Schöni Fäschttäg
Schöni Wienachte
New Year greetings E guets neus Jahr
En guete Rutsch is neue Johr
Easter greetings Schöni Oschtere
Birthday greetings Härzlichi Glückwünsch zum Geburtstag
One language is never enough Ai Sprooch isch nie gnueg
My hovercraft is full of eels Mis Luftchüssiboot isch volle Aal

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