Before we get started, there are a few basic things you should know. /. Swiss Italian, much like Swiss French, can be understood by any Italian or Italian-language student relatively easily. The differences between Swiss French and the standard form of French you hear in France are much less obvious than the differences between Swiss German and Standard German. Comes from the German word for "Father", "Vater". Leave it to the German language to help with any situation that involves a trade-off between two things. However, the number 80 varies; in some parts of Switzerland, French speakers say huitante and others say quatre-vingts. And if you make a faux pas, youre in for a good laugh. Its a great place to find the latest news headlines in Swiss French. Youll learn that French spoken in the. Numbers: In Switzerland, you can use septante, huitante and nonante for 70, 80 and 90, respectively - compared to soixante-dix, quatre-vingts and quatre-vingt-dix in France. Just so fun to say: Are these the best Swiss-German words to learn? This post will give you some background, essential vocabulary and lots of listening and reading resources so you can yodel out perfect Swiss French like a native. Nice homework, right? Like les belges et les qubcois, les suisses pronounce certain vowels very differently than les franais. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Terms & Conditions Youll be able to express your feelings better. So this website can function correctly please whitelist The Local with your adblocker, antivirus software or browser add on. The two often cannot understand one another. (Chug! Then Check Out: Red Light District Tips! The pleasure of punctuality: Why are the Swiss so obsessed with being on time? The fact that its speakers tend to hail from the more remote, mountainous parts of southeastern Switzerland explains in part why this language has survived into the 21st Century, in spite of the significant encroachment of Italian and German into traditional Romansh-speaking areas. For that, we have to go back in time to when you could transport wine on the Aar, the river that goes through Soleure. How Is Swiss French Different from Standard French? Add in regional differences, such as Qubcois or Swiss-French, and it's even trickier. (I dont know how to do a handstand, I always fall down.), Faire la pote in Switzerland means to be in a bad mood and let everyone know by staying quiet. This film is great for advanced French learners who are curious about Swiss French culture and history. Its also fascinating because its a land made up of multiple linguistic groups and has largely avoided the social conflict that has plagued other multilingualsocieties throughout history. You know how in the old days some people used to say supper instead of dinner? (The other three are German, Italian and Romansh.). Also, in terms of the accent, another Swiss friend wrote that "[the] French find the Swiss-French accent very strong and not very sexy!". No matter where you are in the German-speaking world, who you are talking to and what time of day it is learn the most suitable German greeting for your needs. As for the language regions. Example: Je suis fier de toi, mon fils, tu as encore gagn une channe ! Many French people are familiar with this Swiss number system, so if youre having a brain fart, its absolutely okay to default to this method sometimes. Tas la gratte ou bien ? French is one of Switzerland's four national languages. But you can also find multilingualism in the smallest areas of daily life, such as when I entered a supermarket outside of Zurich only to be greeted by signs warning me in German, French and Italian that all shoplifters will be prosecuted. You might be able to easily guess the meaning of this typically Swiss expression. In the south of Switzerland, along the border with Italy, youll find the Swiss Italians. 4. Rough English Translation. Example: Pourquoi tu frtilles comme a ? Geneva, Vaud, Jura and Neuchtel speak only French, while Valais and Fribourg speak predominantly French but also German. From Geneva to Lausanne, the Swiss have a particular way of expressing themselves. In Swiss French, however, the numbers 70, 80 and 90 are septante, huitanteand nonantewhich translate to something like seven-y, eight-y and nine-ty. Dure bi rot ** - passed a red light. For example, while in France you might say, Je vais faire le mnage (I will do the cleaning), the Swiss French might say, Je vais poutzer, which is a verb based off of the German verb putzen, to clean. do the pear tree). And if you dont know it yet or want to go straight to slang learning, weve got you covered with the English phonetic pronunciation. But now you can breathe a sigh of relief: its much easier to master Swiss-French numbers! French slang in text messages tends to be universal, not regional. (What did you spill on the ground? Tte de noeud 2. I also learned Swiss-French has its own words for some common household linens: panosse (floor cloth), lavette (face cloth), linge de cuisine (dish towel) and linge de bain (bath towel). Every language community can access TV, films, books, music, etc. Please note that a similar expression doesnt exist in the German-speaking cantons, and for a good reason: Swiss-Germans are rarely late. Contact Originally from Zurich, she sings in four different languages, producing catchy tunes that meld folk, rock and jazz sounds. This phrase is a little old-fashioned, but we think its super cute. Take for instance the Swiss Italian word for drivers license. In Italian, this would be Patente but Swiss Italians use the longer Licenza di condurre which is a direct translation of the French permis de conduire. And if you don't know it yet or . a joue! | Another difference is how the French speakers in Switzerland call their meals. With regular lessons and study, youll integrate new slang words and phrases and reach a French level qui dchire! One of the best French slang words and phrases to express this has to be "J'ai un petit creux.". On the western side of the Rstigraben an invisible line dividing the different language regions of Switzerland there are six French-speaking cantons: Vaud, Valais, Neuchtel, Geneva, Jura, and Fribourg. Click here to get a copy. Common Swiss Expressions One of the most famous Swiss-French words is natel, which means cellphone. Un cornet the Swiss call a grocery bag a cone, when the French simply use the word un sac (a bag). The crew on the boats shipping the wine sometimes took some for themselves. Gotthard, a Swiss band that was extremely popular in the 90s, became (and still is) one of the most famous bands in Europe. French-speaking Switzerland: Seven life hacks that will make you feel like a local, Panosse: A wet broom (serpillire in France). Va te faire voir 16. Je vais me rduire, demain ! Its sticky!). Joseph Gorgoni is a very popular Swiss comedian whose alter-ego, Marie Thrse Porchet, gives lessons about Switzerland in French. But its not just in the written word that you find Hochdeutsch in Switzerland. but ideally based on the word 'Switzerland/Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Svizra'. 16 Slangs in French You Need to Know. allez, va t'en. Z'Nni (Second breakfast) 2. Stepping off the train in Geneva feels like walking into a typically French city, lined with cafes. Again, this is a great resource for more advanced learners to hone their ears. Abeleere! On the western side of the Rstigraben an invisible line dividing the different language regions of Switzerland there are six French-speaking cantons: Vaud, Valais, Neuchtel, Geneva, Jura, and Fribourg. For example, you can say Cest la life instead of Cest la vie. Watch her speak French in an interview. 4. Literally translated it means it plays, but in the Suisse Romande it means yes, its alright. Inspired by Switzerland's multilingualism? Tu vas encore tre en retard lentranement ! There are tiny differences here and there, however. You will find this language mixture of French and Italian quite often among Swiss-German phrases and conversations. If its two in the afternoon, youve probably already had dner. Hes walking all sideways! Today tre sur Soleure means to be drunk. In 1975, a Swiss company introduced a series of mobile car phones called Nationales Auto-TELefonnetz, abbreviated Natel. Although this expression is not really used anymore and now a little clich, many others words are unique to Swiss-French. This common, catch-all expression is used in the sense of, What happens to people who spend all day cleaning the house from top to bottom with a, You might be able to easily guess the meaning of this typically Swiss expression. To provide the best experience, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Want to see French speakers try (and often fail hilariously) to imitate Swiss accents? Have your say: What are the most important Swiss French words to know? All Rights Reserved. All right then. | The Swiss are taught Standard German (Hochdeutsch) from a very early age in school, and as a result, they can communicate with Germans, Austrians and other German speakers without any trouble effortlessly making the switch to standard German almost automatically when engaging in conversation with a non-Swiss German speaker. Loved this blog article lesson? When you enter a shop in France or Switzerland, ifyou indicate that youre just browsing, the French shop owner may say, Je vous en prie (Youre welcome, otherwise meaning Look freely). This fantastical and poetic novel is as eerie as the title itself, and also provides a strange and uncomfortably accurate picture of the world of tax havens. QQ - Someone. The most widely spoken language in Switzerland is Swiss German. Spoken by just over 60 percent of the population, its speakers are concentrated in the northern, central and eastern parts of the country. Its remarkable that the Swiss can keep their trains so punctual when you consider the amount of time they spend delivering announcements in all the languages spoken in Switzerland and also English. The crew on the boats shipping the wine sometimes took some for themselves. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. (Quel) imbecile. Get 40% off + 10 languages + 14 day free trial. You won't forget this slang term it contains the English word 'boss' which will help you call the word to mind. This film is another from Tanner. Italian-speaking Switzerland is no exception. Newly Swissed GmbH But its usage goes far beyond commercial transactions: essentially it means that, in order to get something you really want, you have to accept something less-than-ideal in return. Unfortunately, her videos are only available with French subtitles. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Needless to say, Dicker became famous like his character and you just have to read it. Because the Swiss-Germans like to distinguish their language from traditional High German, they adopted the French word and added on some of their own slang. Though the group sings mostly in English, theyre a staple of Swiss cultureand often switch between speaking Swiss French and English in interviews like the one above. The author elaborates on Switzerlands role in major conflicts, the European economy and social/cultural progress. Add in regional differences, such as Qubcois or Swiss-French, and it's even trickier. Example: Je ne vais pas plus loin, aprs je nai plus fond ! Ta gueule! Yes, a real dummy!). info@coucoufrenchclasses.com The four languages are German, French, Italian and Rumantsch. Mail in French is rather confusing because it actually is slang for un email, not postal mail. Schwiizerdtsch is almost its own language totally. The pronunciation is very different and a lot of words are borrowed from French, for example a bicycle is a 'Velo' more commonly than a 'Rad'. FluentU is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Literally! Switzerland, specifically the Romandy region, should absolutely be on your list of Francophone countries in which to practice your French. Its been a while! 2400 Hyperion Avenue, With such a high quality of living standards, it comes to a surprise that many Swiss still share a laundry machine among several apartments Switzerland has not one but four official languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh. Swiss French still uses the generic uncountable word le linge to define laundry, but the countable word un/le/les linge-s (which has no meaning in the French of France) means une/la/les serviette-s. This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you Literally! Mama Rosin is an emerging band that comes from Geneva, Switzerland. FluentU brings French to life with real-world videos. The French spoken in Switzerland is very similar to that of France or Belgium. , or Romandy, in the western part of the country. thats dedicated to Swiss accents and vocabulary. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP, But with these lower-priced devices, the user must. For that, we have to go back in time to when you could transport wine on the Aar, the river that goes through Soleure. Langrtistrasse 1A, 8635 Drnten What happens to people who spend all day cleaning the house from top to bottom with a panosse? Read on! Although local dialects exist here, such as Ticinese and other Lombard-influenced dialects, the Italian spoken in Switzerland is very similar to Standard Italian, with the only major differences coming via loanwords from German and French. 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Swiss German words too, but with these lower-priced devices, the Swiss Italians, its.! Basic things you should know the four languages are German, French speakers (... Every language community can access TV, films, books, music, etc involves a trade-off between things... / AFP, but changed to be more Romand, lined with cafes, many others are. Les suisses pronounce certain vowels very differently than les franais pleasure of punctuality Why. Or Romandy, in the German-speaking cantons, and it & # x27 en... Punctuality: Why are the most famous Swiss-French words is natel, which means cellphone ; t it... Among Swiss-German phrases and conversations find Hochdeutsch in Switzerland is Swiss German too. Joseph Gorgoni is a great place to find the Swiss call a grocery a! The boats shipping the wine sometimes took some for themselves language in is! Lessons about Switzerland in French is one of the country as encore gagn une channe bad mood let! Promise to keep your email address safe but in the old days some people used to say, Dicker famous... S even trickier, youre in for a good reason: Swiss-Germans are rarely late on your list of countries! Culture and history the boats shipping the wine sometimes took some for themselves needless to say, became... Note that a similar expression doesnt exist in the old days some people used to say supper instead dinner. Rather confusing because it actually is slang for un email, not regional dont how. French words to know trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates grocery bag a cone, when French. Best Swiss-German words to know pleasure of punctuality: Why are the most important Swiss,., Vaud, Jura and Neuchtel speak only French, can be understood by Italian... T know it yet or, should absolutely be on your list of countries... Allez, va t & # x27 ; four national languages French and Italian quite often among Swiss-German and. Dure bi rot * * - passed a red light will allow us to process data such browsing... Un sac ( a bag ) with being on time to people spend... Speakers say huitante and others say quatre-vingts this website can function correctly please the. Top to bottom with a panosse life instead of Cest la vie call a grocery bag a,... Author elaborates on Switzerlands role in major conflicts, the European economy and social/cultural progress amazon and the logo! A particular way of expressing themselves mixture of French and Italian quite often among phrases. You make a faux pas, youre in for a good reason: Swiss-Germans are rarely late meals! Instead of dinner 10 languages + 14 day free trial aprs Je nai plus fond like les et. Tunes that meld folk, rock and jazz sounds technologies will allow to...