In the vibrant and ever-versatile culture of Switzerland, it is important to know how to express appreciation to others in the local language. Saying “Thank you” has many meanings, and speaking it in the language of the locals will let them know you are an avid and respectful traveler. Now how can one say these two small words in Swiss German? We’ll tell you.
For starters, you can say “Danke”. As you might expect, it is the same in Swiss German as it is in Deutsch elsewhere. But Swiss German is a dialect, and this means there are various ways of saying it, depending on the geographical area within the country. In Bern, for example, people are likely to say the quaint, “Dankschön”, with a bit of a unique rolling of the “R”. Alternatively, the popular phrase “Mershi”, originating in Basel, is both a thank you and a goodbye rolled into one. Another popular phrase, especially among the youth of Zurich, is “Mersguet”, which literally translates to ”good day/hello/goodbye” - but saying it as a way of “Thanks” will get you a warm bat of appreciation.
If you’re feeling particularly fancy, or if the gesture you want to express requires a bit more emphasis, fear not – there’s still plenty of options. In all the main Swiss cities, “Merci Villmal” is the phrase to use. Borrowed from French and interpreted as “Many thanks”, the phrase will make you understand more universally among the multi-lingual Swiss. For those looking for an even more fervent way of expressing gratitude, there’s “Es cha mir ebbs bringe”, meaning “it means a lot to me” – your appreciation won’t go unnoticed. Or, if you’re after something more old-fashioned and with a twist, “Me fairche uf bärge” translates to “raised on a mountain” – a popular saying among the Swiss to show joy and admiration for a thing or person.
In conclusion, Swiss German is a versatile and interesting language which gives you plenty of options for expressing your gratitude in the local area. Whether you want to go for a classic “Danke” or something a bit more elaborate such as “Me fairche uf bärge”, you can’t go wrong as long as you remember the sentiment that drives every thank you: Gratitude.