Swiss German B1 — Conversation & Daily Life (for English Speakers) Official
21 B1-level Swiss German (Zurich dialect) words and phrases with English translations, example sentences and pronunciation guides. Levels are approximate: Swiss German has no official CEFR framework, so each word inherits the level of its Standard German equivalent in the Goethe-Institut A1-B1 wordlists.
CEFR B1 — Intermediate
At this level you can discuss opinions, travel independently, describe experiences. Vocabulary: ~2,500 words (cumulative).
Swiss German → English21 words~3 days at 10 words/day0 downloadsB1
No ratingsNo ratingsby admin@wordsonrepeat.comAug 6, 2026
Pronounced: PROSHT. From Latin 'prosit'. Used when clinking glasses. Important: maintain eye contact while saying Proscht — it's considered rude not to. 'Eusi' = unsere (our).
probiere
to try
Wotsch mol probiere?
Do you want to try?
Pronounced: pro-BEER-eh. Same as Standard German 'probieren'. Often used for tasting food: 'Wotsch probiere?' at a market stall. 'Mol' = mal (softener, once).
s Rüebli
carrot
Rüeblitorte isch typisch Schwiizerisch.
Carrot cake is typically Swiss.
Pronounced: s REWB-lee (ü as 'ew'). Standard German: Karotte/Möhre. The -li diminutive suffix is typical Swiss German. Rüeblitorte (carrot cake) is a classic Swiss dessert.
d Beiz
pub / bar / restaurant
Gömer hüt in d Beiz?
Shall we go to the pub today?
Pronounced: d BYTES. Standard German: Kneipe/Gaststätte. 'Gömer' = gehen wir (shall we go). A Beiz is typically a casual, cozy neighborhood restaurant or bar.
fein
tasty / delicious
Das Ässe isch fein gsi.
The food was delicious.
Pronounced: FYNE (ei as 'eye'). In Swiss German 'fein' primarily means tasty/delicious (Standard German: lecker). 'Gsi' = gewesen (been). Used constantly for food: 'Das isch fein!' (That's yummy!).
gschpässig
strange / funny / odd
Das isch e gschpässigi Gschicht.
That's a strange story.
Pronounced: g-SHPES-sig. Standard German: komisch/spaßig. Can mean funny-strange or funny-humorous depending on context. 'Gschicht' = Geschichte (story). '-igi' is feminine adjective ending.
glustig
craving / curious / tempted
Ich bi glustig uf e Glace.
I'm craving an ice cream.
Pronounced: GLOOSS-tig. Uniquely Swiss German. 'Glustig uf' = having a craving for. 'Glace' = Eis/Eiscreme (ice cream, from French 'glace'). No Standard German equivalent.
strub
wild / hectic / intense
S isch en strube Taag gsi.
It was a hectic day.
Pronounced: SHTROOP. Uniquely Swiss German. Can describe weather (stormy), a situation (hectic), or hair (wild/messy). 'En strube' = masculine adjective with article.
gmüetlich
cozy / comfortable / pleasant
Dini Wohnig isch mega gmüetlich.
Your apartment is really cozy.
Pronounced: g-MEWT-likh (ü as 'ew', ch guttural). Standard German: gemütlich. A core cultural concept in Swiss/German life. 'Dini' = deine (your, feminine). Describes warm, comfortable atmospheres.
lässig
cool / nice / awesome
Das isch lässig, merci!
That's cool, thanks!
Pronounced: LES-sig. In Swiss German 'lässig' is very positive (cool/great). In Standard German it means 'casual/laid-back'. Common compliment and expression of approval.
öppe
approximately / about / roughly
S sind öppe zwänzg Lüüt cho.
About twenty people came.
Pronounced: UR-peh (ö like 'ur' in 'fur'). Standard German: etwa/ungefähr. 'Öppe' is distinctly Swiss. Related: 'öpper' (somebody), 'öppis' (something), 'öppedie' (sometimes).
Halt
just / simply (filler)
S isch halt Züri.
That's just Zurich (for you).
Pronounced: HAHLT. Discourse particle indicating something is inevitable or accepted. Standard German also uses 'halt'. Often combined: 'Das isch halt eifach so' (That's just how it is).
d Quittung
receipt
Bruuched Si d Quittung?
Do you need the receipt? (formal)
Pronounced: d KVIT-toong. Same as Standard German 'Quittung'. Also called 'de Kassezettel'. 'Bruuched Si' = brauchen Sie (do you need, formal). Cashiers always ask.
d Aktion
sale / special offer
Häsch gseh? S Poulet isch in de Aktion.
Did you see? The chicken is on sale.
Pronounced: d ahk-TSYOHN. FALSE FRIEND: 'Aktion' in Swiss German typically means a sale/discount, not 'action'. 'Häsch gseh?' = hast du gesehen? (did you see?). Migros and Coop have weekly Aktionen.
de Stau
traffic jam
Uf de Autobahn isch Stau.
There's a traffic jam on the highway.
Pronounced: deh SHTOW (au as 'ow'). Same as Standard German. 'Uf de Autobahn' = auf der Autobahn. Swiss highways require a Vignette (annual toll sticker, ~40 CHF). Gotthard tunnel jams are legendary.
d Sitzig
meeting
Ich ha no e Sitzig am Namittag.
I have another meeting in the afternoon.
Pronounced: d ZIT-sig. Standard German: Sitzung. Swiss German '-ig' ending. 'Am Namittag' = am Nachmittag (in the afternoon). 'No' = noch (still/another). Swiss meetings start on time.
d Lehre
apprenticeship
Si macht e Lehre als Chöchin.
She's doing an apprenticeship as a cook.
Pronounced: d LEH-reh. Switzerland's famous dual education system. About 2/3 of Swiss youth do apprenticeships. 'Chöchin' = Köchin (female cook), k→ch shift. Apprenticeships are highly respected.
de Näbel
fog
Im Herbscht gits vill Näbel.
In autumn there's a lot of fog.
Pronounced: deh NEH-bel (ä as in 'bed'). Standard German: Nebel. The Swiss Plateau ('Mittelland') is notorious for persistent autumn/winter fog ('Hochnebel'). 'Herbscht' = Herbst (autumn). People escape to the mountains for sun.
de Abwart
building caretaker / janitor
Frog de Abwart, er weiss Bescheid.
Ask the caretaker, he knows.
Pronounced: deh AHP-vart. Important person in Swiss apartment buildings. Manages maintenance, cleaning, and rules. 'Bescheid wüsse' = to be informed. The Abwart enforces quiet hours and recycling rules.
de Kanton
canton (Swiss state)
D Schwiiz hät 26 Kantön.
Switzerland has 26 cantons.
Pronounced: deh kahn-TOHN. Switzerland's federal states. Each canton has its own constitution, government, and laws. 'Kantön' = plural. Zurich is both a city and a canton. Cantons have significant autonomy.
s Dessert
dessert
Nämed er no es Dessert?
Would you like a dessert?
Pronounced: s deh-SAIR (French origin). Same as Standard German but with French pronunciation (day-SAIR). 'Nämed er' = nehmen Sie (formal, would you take). 'No' = noch (still/also). Common Swiss desserts: Meringue, Tiramisù, Coupe.