🇨🇭

Switzerland · German Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Grüezi
    Hello (the classic Swiss-German greeting, used through the day) “GROO-eh-tsee”
  2. 2
    Grüezi mitenand
    Hello everyone (to a group) “GROO-eh-tsee MIT-eh-nand”
  3. 3
    Danke vielmal
    Thank you very much (Swiss expression) “DAHN-keh FEEL-mahl”
  4. 4
    Bitte
    You're welcome / Please “BIT-teh”
  5. 5
    Entschuldigung
    Excuse me / Sorry “ent-SHOOL-dee-goong”
  6. 6
    Auf Wiedersehen
    Goodbye (formal, on parting) “owf VEE-der-zayn”
  7. 7
    Tschüss
    Bye (casual) “CHOOS”
  8. 8
    En Guete
    Enjoy your meal (Swiss before eating) “en GOO-eh-teh”
Local etiquette
  • In German-speaking Switzerland, 'Grüezi' is the standard greeting. Always greet when entering and leaving a shop.
  • Use the formal 'Sie' with people you don't know; switch to 'du' only once a friendship is established.
  • On hiking trails it's customary to greet passers-by with a 'Grüezi'.

Basics

  1. 1
    Ja / Nein
    Yes / No “yah / nine”
  2. 2
    Sprechen Sie Englisch?
    Do you speak English? “SHPREH-khen zee ENG-lish?”
  3. 3
    Ich verstehe nicht
    I don't understand “ikh fer-SHTAY-eh nikht”
  4. 4
    Können Sie langsamer sprechen?
    Could you speak more slowly? “KUR-nen zee LANG-zah-mer SHPREH-khen?”
  5. 5
    Wie viel kostet das?
    How much does this cost? “vee feel KOS-tet dahs?”
  6. 6
    Wo ist die Toilette?
    Where is the restroom? “vo ist dee toy-LET-teh?”
  7. 7
    Können Sie mir helfen?
    Could you help me? “KUR-nen zee meer HEL-fen?”
  8. 8
    Ich hätte gern...
    I would like... (polite request) “ikh HET-teh gern...”
Local etiquette
  • Switzerland is very expensive. Water, restrooms and small items are often paid for, so budget ahead.
  • Punctuality is taken extremely seriously — appointments and trains run on time, so arrive early.
  • Keep quiet in public spaces and on trains; avoid loud talking and phone calls.

Shopping

  1. 1
    Was kostet das?
    How much is this? “vahs KOS-tet dahs?”
  2. 2
    Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
    Can I pay by card? “kahn ikh mit KAR-teh TSAH-len?”
  3. 3
    Haben Sie das in einer anderen Grösse?
    Do you have this in another size? “HAH-ben zee dahs in EYE-ner AHN-der-en GRUR-seh?”
  4. 4
    Nur schauen, danke
    Just looking, thanks “noor SHOW-en, DAHN-keh”
  5. 5
    Ich nehme das
    I'll take this “ikh NAY-meh dahs”
  6. 6
    Eine Tüte, bitte
    A bag, please (usually charged for) “EYE-neh TOO-teh, BIT-teh”
Local etiquette
  • Most shops close on Sundays. Do your shopping on weekdays or Saturday.
  • Shopping bags are almost always charged for, so bring a reusable bag.
  • Prices shown include tax, and there's no haggling culture.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Die Speisekarte, bitte
    The menu, please “dee SHPY-zeh-kar-teh, BIT-teh”
  2. 2
    Was empfehlen Sie?
    What do you recommend? “vahs emp-FAY-len zee?”
  3. 3
    Ich hätte gern das hier
    I'll have this one “ikh HET-teh gern dahs heer”
  4. 4
    Ein Mineralwasser, bitte
    A bottle of water, please (water is usually paid) “eyn mee-neh-RAHL-vah-ser, BIT-teh”
  5. 5
    Ich habe eine Allergie
    I have an allergy “ikh HAH-beh EYE-neh ah-ler-GEE”
  6. 6
    Die Rechnung, bitte
    The bill, please “dee REKH-noong, BIT-teh”
  7. 7
    Stimmt so
    Keep the change (when rounding up as a tip) “shtimt zo”
  8. 8
    Es war sehr gut
    It was very good “es vahr zayr goot”
Local etiquette
  • Service is included in the bill. Tipping isn't required — if pleased, just round up and say 'Stimmt so' (keep the change).
  • Water isn't served automatically; ordering bottled water means you pay for it.
  • It's customary to wish each other 'En Guete' before eating.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Wo ist der Bahnhof?
    Where is the train station? “vo ist der BAHN-hohf?”
  2. 2
    Ein Billett nach..., bitte
    A ticket to..., please (Swiss uses 'Billett') “eyn bee-YEH nahkh..., BIT-teh”
  3. 3
    Auf welchem Gleis?
    Which platform? “owf VEL-khem glys?”
  4. 4
    Wann fährt der nächste Zug?
    When does the next train leave? “vahn fairt der NEKH-steh tsoog?”
  5. 5
    Gibt es ein Tagesticket?
    Is there a day pass? “gibt es eyn TAH-ges-ti-ket?”
  6. 6
    Hält dieser Zug in...?
    Does this train stop in...? “helt DEE-zer tsoog in...?”
  7. 7
    Zum Flughafen, bitte
    To the airport, please (taxi) “tsoom FLOOG-hah-fen, BIT-teh”
Local etiquette
  • Swiss Railways (SBB) is famously punctual. Always buy your ticket in advance — fare checks are strict.
  • If you'll travel a lot, consider a Swiss Travel Pass or the Half Fare Card.
  • Conductors check tickets frequently, so always carry a valid one.

Hotel

  1. 1
    Ich habe eine Reservierung
    I have a reservation “ikh HAH-beh EYE-neh reh-zer-VEE-roong”
  2. 2
    Einchecken, bitte
    Check-in, please “EYN-chek-en, BIT-teh”
  3. 3
    Um wie viel Uhr ist der Check-out?
    What time is check-out? “oom vee feel oor ist der check-out?”
  4. 4
    Können Sie mein Gepäck aufbewahren?
    Could you store my luggage? “KUR-nen zee myn geh-PEK OWF-beh-vah-ren?”
  5. 5
    Wie ist das WLAN-Passwort?
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “vee ist dahs VEH-lahn-PAHS-vort?”
Local etiquette
  • Some hotels charge a separate tourist tax (Kurtaxe) at check-in, which may include a local transport card.
  • There are quiet hours at night (usually after 22:00) — avoid showers, laundry and loud noise.

Emergency

  1. 1
    Hilfe!
    Help! “HIL-feh!”
  2. 2
    Rufen Sie die Polizei!
    Call the police! “ROO-fen zee dee po-lee-TSY!”
  3. 3
    Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen!
    Call an ambulance! “ROO-fen zee EYE-nen KRAHN-ken-vah-gen!”
  4. 4
    Wo ist das Spital?
    Where is the hospital? (Swiss uses 'Spital') “vo ist dahs SHPEE-tahl?”
  5. 5
    Ich habe meinen Pass verloren
    I've lost my passport “ikh HAH-beh MY-nen pahs fer-LO-ren”
Local etiquette
  • Emergency numbers: police 117, fire 118, ambulance 144, EU-wide 112. Mountain/air rescue is REGA on 1414.
  • Waste sorting is strictly enforced. Ignoring official-bag and recycling rules can lead to fines.