Knowing how to ask How Are You (in Swiss German) is essential for any traveler or resident of Switzerland. After all, Switzerland is a beautiful, diverse multi-lingual country in the heart of Europe, and gaining a better understanding of Swiss German should be on everyone’s to-do list. Being able to say ‘how are you’ in the local language will open so many doors in the distant alpine villages of Switzerland and allow you to really appreciate all that Swiss culture has to offer. So, here is a guide to How Are You In Swiss German, with plenty of fun tips along the way.
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The Basics Of Swiss German
Swiss German is, simply put, the most commonly spoken language in Switzerland. It is not to be confused with Standard German (also known as Hochdeutsch), and is essentially a collection of dialects spoken all across the country. If you want to know How Are You in Swiss German, the most common phrase for that is ‘Wie gehts?’ This should work in any situation.
A Quick Vocabulary Council
If you’re ready to get a little more creative, here are a few more expressions you can use in Swiss German:
- Hallo - Hello
- Hallöli – Hi
- Grüezi – Hello (friendly way)
- Tschau – Bye
So, if somebody seems too formal, you can try ‘Hallöli’, or if you’re running off to a meeting, a polite bye could be ‘Tschau’.
Getting Creative With Swiss German
The great thing about Swiss German is that, while there are certainly some regional quirks, once you know the basics you can get really creative. For example, if you want to tell somebody that you’re doing well but don’t want to say ‘Wie gehts?’, you could try ‘Ne Bergwandining, s’isch guet’! Which means ‘A mountain walling, it’s great!’ It’s a real Swiss expression and everyone will be delighted that you’re trying to learn about their culture!
Funny Swiss German Expressions!
You can even get really funny with Swiss German. A great way to show a lot of enthusiasm is to say ‘Gäll!’ which translates to something like ‘Amazing/Incredible!’ or ‘Let’s go!’. You can also say ‘Sali gfährlech!’ which means ‘Stay safe’ but literally translates to ‘Drive carefully!’ – so it’s sometimes used as a funny way to send someone off.
Swiss German is a fantastic language to learn, and being able to say How Are You in Swiss German opens up so many doors to the culture of this beautiful country. With a bit of practice, learning and even getting creative with the language, you’ll be able to more fully appreciate all that Switzerland has to offer. And as a bonus, asking How Are You in Swiss German is sure to make any local smile!
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