Dialect-able

Sälü: an informal greeting, from the French "Salut". Other words on the wall are more globalised. swissinfo.ch

Schnipo: a portmanteau of "schnitzel" and "pommes frites". swissinfo.ch

Ändu: diminutive for Andreas. swissinfo.ch

Leidi Sach: üble Geschichte. An ugly business. swissinfo.ch

Exgüse: Verzeihung. Excuse me. From the French "s'excuser". swissinfo.ch

Rösti: a Swiss-German dish of roughly grated potatoes, shaped into patties which are then fried. swissinfo.ch

Machöli: diminutive of macho. swissinfo.ch

Luusmeitli: Lausmädchen. Naughty girl. swissinfo.ch

Chäsbrätel: Käsegericht. A simple cheese dish. En Gueta: Mahlzeit. How people in Bern say bon appetit. swissinfo.ch

Schiri: diminutive of Schiedsrichter. Ref(eree). swissinfo.ch

Liefere statt lavere: work don't chat. swissinfo.ch

Himelgüegeli: Marienkäfer. Ladybird. swissinfo.ch

Beck: Bäcker. Baker. Chräbeli: Änisgebäck. Aniseed biscuit. swissinfo.ch

Seckle: Laufen. Running. An advert for the Bern street run. swissinfo.ch

A small dialect Swiss-German glossary for beginners.

This content was published on May 16, 2011 - 20:37

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