Swiss German sayings: what they mean (and how to say them!)

09/03/19 • 20 min

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

"There's enough hay down there now" to "even his chopping block will calve": these are just a few everyday sayings that make perfect sense in Swiss German, but don't exactly translate into English. Whether you've heard some of them already, or just want to impress with a sentence or two at the right moment, this is our pick of some useful sayings in Swiss German.

In this episode, we try to explain their meaning and talk about when you can use them.

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

Göschenä - Airolo

Chasch nät z Füfi uz Weggli ha

Das macht der Braatä onät fiis.

Däm Chalberet no dr Schittschtock

Winä kertä Hentschä

Äs het solangs het

Äs git nüt wos nät git

Uf altä Pfanä leertmä chochä

Dr schnäller isch dr Gschwinder

Äs isch gnueg Heu nitna

Dr gschider git naa u der Esel blibt schtaa

...
Join the community Chat
Subscribe to the free newsletter
...
Send your questions:
Drop us an email: [email protected]
Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66
Find us on Bluesky: Jo and Simon
Find us on Instagram
...
Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music
Other ways to subscribe

--- Send us your questions ---

In this episode, we try to explain their meaning and talk about when you can use them.

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

Göschenä - Airolo

Chasch nät z Füfi uz Weggli ha

Das macht der Braatä onät fiis.

Däm Chalberet no dr Schittschtock

Winä kertä Hentschä

Äs het solangs het

Äs git nüt wos nät git

Uf altä Pfanä leertmä chochä

Dr schnäller isch dr Gschwinder

Äs isch gnueg Heu nitna

Dr gschider git naa u der Esel blibt schtaa

Previous Episode

The Swiss and Chips guide to dating in Switzerland

--- Send us your questions ---

Is dating in Switzerland any different to anywhere else in the world? The Swiss have a reputation for being difficult to get know, so in this episode, we talk about expectations, stereotypes and traditions when it comes to attempting to get romantically involved with a Swiss.

How to date in Switzerland: Show notes

How to make friends in Switzerland.
Where to look?
How to ask?
What to do on a first date?
Special things to think about?

Next Episode

This is what it sounds like in Switzerland's capital city, Bern

--- Send us your questions ---

Come on a walk through one of Bern's picturesque neighbourhoods, Kirchenfeld, and listen in to what the Swiss capital sounds like on an ordinary day. Starting off at the Tierpark (animal park), walking through Helvetiaplatz with many of the country's important museums, I'll talk you through what you will see and hear as you head up into the city centre, walking over a beautiful bridge and ending at one of the city's main attractions, the Zytglogge.
Take in the sounds of Bern wherever you are in the world.