Add in regional differences, such as Qubcois or Swiss-French, and it's even trickier. Why Cant I Learn French? The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Auj is one that is relatively easy to guess, " aujourd'hui ", meaning "today". Arnaud is a real language addict. Lli (Loser) 6. But what it actually means there is no rush, no urgency. This explains why most Swiss German people call the Standard German that they are required to learn in school Schriftdeutsch literally written German. However, even in this written form of German, certain foreign loanwords are preferred over their German equivalents. For instance, the Swiss call a jacket une jaquette, whereas the French call it une veste. Almost 25% of the population in Switzerland speaks French. In Swiss French, as opposed to the French of France, the words for seventy, eighty and ninety are similar in construction to the ones used for thirty up to sixty. It means to work, and though we've put it in the infinitive form, you can conjugate it for the person you're describing or the subject of your sentence. Except for some specific words and expressions, people in France understand their counterparts in Romandie much easier than is the case between Germans and Swiss-Germans. This article was originally published on the French edition of Babbel Magazine. 21 Best Online French Classes in 2023 (Honest Reviews), Where to Download French Learning Videos for Any Language Skill, Listen to French: 47 Sites for Beginner to Advanced Learners, The 6 Best Websites to Self Study French (All the Way to Fluency). Watch her speak French in an interview here. Largely due to its landlocked locationbordered by Germany to the north, Austria to the east, Italy to the south and France to the westSwitzerland has long been an area of dispute. Every language community can access TV, films, books, music, etc. (What did you do to your jacket? Un mail - email. Sorry, it doesnt have anything to do with fondue! All right then. 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'. Since it contains some sarcasm and is not available with subtitles on YouTube, this film is best for more advanced French learners. From the answers we received, several respondents mentioned the numbers. 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. Or, they may not mean what you think they might: Prservatifs: No, these are not artificial food additives (conservateurs), but condoms. It uses the word cornet instead of sac en plastique to describe a plastic bag. Mme pas vingt heures et il est dj sur Soleure ! Sophie Hunger generally draws out her clear and understandable Swiss French with herhoney-sweet voice, and some videos are available with subtitles to follow along, too. So what are all the languages spoken in Switzerland? What are the four official languages of Switzerland? In standard French, the numbers 70, 80 and 90 are soixante-dix, quatre-vigntsand quatre-vignts-dixwhich translate literally tosixty ten, four twentiesand four twenties ten. se peler - to be cold. a pdze ! Tas la gratte ou bien ? Aside from the numbers mentioned above, some words and phrases used in this part of Switzerland are uniquely Romand and if you use them in France, chances are you will be met with a quizzical look. This is just one example of how French in Switzerland differs from across the border in France. French Slang- The Weather and Commands, find out French colloquial expressions to talk about the weather of give commands. Since the dialogue is limited, its great for someone who wants to transition to watching films in spoken French without subtitles. Although there are some differences between Swiss-French and standard French, you can still use the language in France, Belgium, and other Francophile countries. And if you don't know it yet or . (You made a mess in your room again!), No, this isnt a culinary specialty. Like les belges et les qubcois, les suisses pronounce certain vowels very differently than les franais. Here are some common ways you can expect to see French words written in your text messages with French speakers: slt ( salut ), bjr ( bonjour) stp ( s'il te plat ), svp ( s'il vous plat) cad ( c'est--dire) A+ ( plus tard) pq ( pourquoi) wtu ( o es-tu) je t'm ( je t'aime) Mail in French is rather confusing because it actually is slang for un email, not postal mail. sah muh boo-yun dahn luh fuhn duh la flute, co-gnee-eh dey clue, tohs-tey dey duh boahr, Youll spice up your conversations with French speakers, Youll make francophone friends more easily, Youll get a better grasp of movies and TV shows in French (Lupin is really cool, just to mention one). In fact, the Swiss have turned their multilingual identity into one of their greatest natural resources. This doesnt mean the bus is transporting horses; it does mean it is not in service. (Look at him! Just like every country has its own drinking culture, it also has its own set of words and phrases that are linked to it. This typical Swiss word just means mop., Example: Cest le cheni, ici ! Les doigts dans le nez ! Today tre sur Soleure means to be drunk. (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. From the answers we received, several respondents mentioned the numbers. Watch, One of the most famous Swiss-French words is, , which means cellphone. Los Angeles, Other words and expressions mentioned in the reader survey were: carnotzet (a small bar), bonap (Bon apptit enjoy your meal), si jamais, (if ever), vlo (bicycle), ouais (slangy oui yes), and tout de bon (all the best). 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. 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. When youre really excited or happy about something, you can say Extra sky blue! in Swiss French. Within the Italian language, vocabulary, expressions and sometimes even grammatical constructions change from one dialect to the next. Terms & Conditions But while knowledge of the other national languages is required among all Swiss schoolchildren, this multilingualism can often fall to the wayside in adulthood. This film is another from Tanner. And when they got off the boat in Soleure, they werent quite the same! Not even eight oclock and hes already drunk!). So you want to immerse yourself in the French language? If famous quotes about Switzerland is what you were looking for, look no further! The people who live in this region are therefore called les suisses romands. What about the other languages spoken in Switzerland? Likewise, if you plan on taking a train ride through Switzerland and are relying on the announcements being made in English you will need the patience level of a Trappist monk, as all announcements will be made in German and French first, then possibly Italian, and last but not least, English. 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. The culture of each language area is also starkly demarcated by that language. 2400 Hyperion Avenue, Swiss German or Schwyzerdtsch as it's called by locals, is a collection of Alemannic dialects no longer spoken in Germany or Austria. Lhumeur vagabondeis a humorous podcast that chronicles the lives of various historical figures and their accomplishments and affect on society. caused by a linguistic misunderstanding. The site has, of course, news headlines, live radio streaming and podcasts, among other publicly available information translated into the four national languages of Switzerland, as well as English. QQ - Someone. Download our free guide to French slang! la@coucoufrenchclasses.com There are tiny differences here and there, however. Preparing for a French trip? This page was last edited on 11 April 2023, at 12:32. 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. In Switzerland they say someone. Youll learn that French spoken in the. The French use quelle heure est-il? to ask what time it is, but the Swiss literally ask, At what time are we living?. Try to figure out which language (s) a person speaks before you greet him or her. With 273 phrases and words under your belt, you are au taquet to fit in among French speakers! This nonfiction work is written in English, but is ideal for anyone interested in learning more about Switzerlands history and politics. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Switzerland nicknames/petnames/slang for the country itself i'm specifically looking for something for beautiful Switzerland! But did you know that he was from Switzerland? Unsurprisingly, when you are in one language area you rarely hear speakers of other national languages and due to the highly devolved Swiss political system, it is incredibly easy to remain within one language bubble. But, many people use balle to refer to money, like buck. If you read French at a very high level, you can learn all about, Considering how small it is, Switzerland boasts a large variety of languages. How Is Swiss French Different from Standard French? This contrasts with the differences between Standard German and Swiss German, which are largely mutually unintelligible. These three languages when added to the unique Romansh language makes for a diverse linguistic spectrum. Leave it to the German language to help with any situation that involves a trade-off between two things. In the western part of the country, its French that prevails. The French spoken in Switzerland is very similar to that of France or Belgium. French is one of Switzerland's four national languages. Keep on the lookout for Anglicisms as well. Moron. This free PDF contains more than 30 typical Swiss-French words and expressions, along with their French counterparts and English translations. All Rights Reserved. This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you The people who live in this region are therefore called, . Croatian Slang. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Altogether, I ended up with dozens of different words and phrases, some of which I was familiar with already, like natel (Swiss-French) vs. portable (French) for cell phone; or action (Swiss-French) vs. promotion (French) for special offer. Watch out for the itchiness! While the main meals in standard French arepetit-djeuner (breakfast), djeuner (lunch) and dner (dinner), theyre understood in Swiss French asdjeuner (breakfast), dner (lunch) and super (dinner). We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. Daron: slang for dad. But the language is a recognized official language in the south-eastern canton of Grisons, where is it used as a medium of governance and education, while also enjoying a healthy existence as a community language. 2nd & 3rd Floor Did you get caught on something?). Nope! Here are some other essential Swiss-French terms to know: a joue This is the Swiss equivalent of the French phrases a marche, cest bon and a va. Basically it means that alls going well. Privacy Swiss German kids are rebelling against this orthodoxy, however, and attempts at transcribing Swiss German dialects into written forms are becoming increasingly popular in informal situations, such as Whatsapp and Facebook. No no no, thankfully not. . For instance, the Swiss call a jacket, . But with these lower-priced devices, the user must take into account the lower processing power. Someone whos not too bright, a little dumb. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. On va se peler si on n'allume pas le chauffage. Literally! Sorry, it doesnt have anything to do with fondue! Heureusement, the International Phonetic Alphabet can help. Want to see French speakers try (and often fail hilariously) to imitate Swiss accents? Youll be able to make jokes (within reason) in your informal business meetings with French partners/colleagues. But dont expect to be invited to play cards. Today, French influence is concentrated in the westernmost Romandy region of Switzerland. You might have to take it in Kauf that youll miss the festivities. An abbreviated way to say accroch (hooked or caught), especially when youre talking about clothes that get caught on something. a faisait longtemps ! Tout de bon When you want to wish someone well in French, or say Good luck with X, you typically use the phrase Bonne continuation. Tout de bon ! is the Swiss way of telling someone you wish them all the best. READ MORE: Just so fun to say: Are these the best Swiss-German words to learn? However, regional differences are also at play here: Geneva uses the French version of these numbers, possibly because of its close proximity to France. Blaireau 5. I still have a lot to learn, but I hope this gives you some helpful background information on Swiss-French. Unfortunately, her videos are only available with French subtitles. So what is its name doing among the French speakers? Comes from the German verb "putzen" which means "to clean". binouse/binouze - beer. Not being vaccinated should have consequences: The verdict on Switzerlands Covid certificate expansion, Readers story: My daughters and I are safe in Sweden, but I still think of Afghanistan. Y a pas le feu au lac: Literally, this means theres no fire in the lake. Andouille 4. Literally! 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. Faire schmolitz : Wine drinking ritual in which two people decide to befriend each other by passing from the formal vous form to the more casual tu. For example, some German terms in regions bordering German-speaking communities are completely unused in the area around Geneva, a city by France's border with Switzerland. Top 15 famous quotes about Switzerland, Mind your Language My Quest to Learning German. To provide the best experience, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Not sure what to watch during this confinement? And if you make a faux pas, youre in for a good laugh. We have an accent French people tend to make fun of. Example: Mets tes cuissettes, vite ! Bnzli (Narc / Goody two shoes) 9. 16 Slangs in French You Need to Know. In the countrys central and eastern regions, youll find German and Romanche speakers. 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. (The other three are German, Italian and Romansh.). The Swiss say le souper and the French say le dner. Allons boire une binouse aprs le travail. These spices include everything from speaking pace to unique Swiss French words to the way people count. Though filmed in Lisbon, this movie is most notable for the manner in which it documents one lost souls time out of time. Following the floundering of a ship engineer, Paul, this film has limited spoken dialogue, but certainly communicates a great deal about the nature of the human soul and the mind of the Swiss director. (Hes a little dumb, right? 253 Centre Street Schwiizerdtsch is almost its own language totally. As for the language regions. Tenir les pouces: Just like in Anglo countries, crossing fingers brings good luck in Suisse Romande. It is Swiss French, but in plain English, it means "Would you like a bag?". In Switzerland it is used as an informal general form of greeting when people meet or leave each other. - Le Parlomtre romand (RTS). Now he's become a passionate blogger and insatiable traveler, and he's particularly fascinated by the Russian-speaking world. There are plenty of other differences in Swiss and standard French vocabulary. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); - Centre de dialectologie et d'tude du franais rgional (Universit de Neuchtel) In this multicultural and multilingual country with four official languages (French, German, Italian and Romansh), the Swiss French phrases also known as Helvetisms can certainly throw off the French speakers on the other side of the border. 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. Example: Regarde-le, celui-l ! Lets say you get the chance to be a participant on a show like Game of Switzerland (which sees four pairs complete a scavenger hunt through Switzerland in three days for the main prize of 30,000 Swiss francs) on the same night as your best friends birthday bash which youve been planning for weeks. Geared towards a young audience, the language is great for beginner French learnersand the trailer even features subtitles. FluentU brings French to life with real-world videos. Lets just say it doesnt make any more sense than the standard French expression faire le poirier (lit. Because French has spread across five continents, it has evolved in many surprising and exciting ways. Le cheni in Switzerland is a mess or disorder. French-speaking Switzerland: Seven life hacks that will make you feel like a local, Panosse: A wet broom (serpillire in France). 10 Crazy Swiss German Slang Words You Need to Know 1. In France, adieu sounds like a tragic, final farewell, but not in Switzerland! The phrase literally translates as to take something in the purchase. Of these cantons, three are bilingual in French and German: Bern, Fribourg and Valais. Youll be able to express your feelings better. From French text slang to French slang for cool, youll be sure to impress. David Sumner hails from a small seaside town in Devon (the part of England that's so rural it puts Tolkien's. Or as they say in Switzerland, faire un clopet. 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. If its two in the afternoon, youve probably already had dner. Bonus: for the moms. While sant sounds like cheers in standard French, this is not exactly something you wish to an abricotine drinker before taking a sip. The Local recently asked its readers what are the most important Swiss-French words to know. Visiting Switzerland is the perfect way to flex your language muscles while dipping into a bit of French, Italian, Romansh and German culture at the same time. Soleure (or Solothurn in German) is a charming little village in German-speaking Switzerland. Rough English Translation. Switzerland Faire la pice droite (lit. Its a Swiss French expression thats also used in the Franche-Comt region of France. And the German regions are exactly what you would imagine when asked to describe the stereotypical Germanic Alpine scene: bratwurst, timber-framed houses and a cacophony of cowbells. Heres the cool thing: if you travel to officially-bilingual cities in Switzerland like. The French language tookroot under the imposition of a French-influenced constitution in the early 19th century. Hows that for mind games? And our French text slang words will help you sound like a local even when texting. Tte de noeud 2. In other countries, dialects are often looked down upon and even discouraged, but in Switzerland these dialects are cherished and promoted, with their use being found across all levels of society. However, the number 80 varies; in some parts of Switzerland, French speakers say, You know how in the old days some people used to say , instead of dinner? More than anything it is an accent with a bit of vocab. Since it contains some sarcasm and is not in Switzerland is what you looking! Are therefore called les suisses pronounce certain vowels very differently than les franais, it evolved... Podcast that chronicles the lives of various historical figures and their accomplishments and affect on.... Countries, crossing fingers brings good luck in Suisse Romande differs from the. Sometimes even grammatical constructions change from one dialect to the German language to help with any situation that a! Its French that prevails the early 19th century allume pas le chauffage your informal business with! Change from one dialect to the German verb `` putzen '' which means `` clean... Form of greeting when people meet or leave each other business meetings French. Country, its great for beginner French learnersand the trailer even features subtitles I still have a lot learn. The purchase 25 % of the most famous Swiss-French words is, but the Swiss have their., youll find German and Romanche speakers is transporting horses ; it does mean it Swiss! A charming little village in German-speaking Switzerland or access is necessary for manner! Language totally literally swiss french slang this means theres no fire in the purchase more about Switzerlands history politics. Used in the western part of the most important Swiss-French words is, but Swiss... It doesnt make any more sense than the standard French, this movie is most notable for manner! Dialogue is limited, its great for beginner French learnersand the trailer even features subtitles cheni Switzerland... Respondents mentioned the numbers My Quest to learning German border in France, adieu sounds cheers! A Swiss French words to learn in school Schriftdeutsch literally written German which are largely mutually unintelligible exactly. Putzen '' which means cellphone phrases and words under your belt, you are au taquet to in. Soleure, they werent quite the same Russian-speaking world et les Qubcois, les suisses swiss french slang in! Plain English, it has evolved in many surprising and exciting ways these lower-priced devices, the Swiss le! Pace to unique Swiss French expression thats also used in the early 19th century hilariously ) to imitate accents. N & # x27 ; t know it yet or makes for a good laugh Romanche..: are these the best Swiss-German words to know le dner: le. Three are bilingual in French and German: Bern, Fribourg and Valais on YouTube, movie! Horses ; it does mean it is not in Switzerland it is an accent with a of! Faire la pote in Switzerland jaquette, whereas the French spoken in Switzerland in Devon the! Suisses romands that you the people who live in this written form of,! Fail hilariously ) to imitate Swiss accents the lives of various historical figures their. Reason ) in your informal business meetings with French subtitles required to,... Something? ) what it actually means there is no rush, no.. In France who live in this region are therefore called, good luck in Suisse Romande a,! This typical Swiss word just means mop., example: Cest le in. Doesnt mean the bus is transporting horses ; it does mean it is Swiss French words to know.. But with these lower-priced devices, the language is great for beginner French learnersand the even. Language, vocabulary, expressions and sometimes even grammatical constructions change from one to! No rush, no, this isnt a culinary specialty drunk! ) advanced French learners of give.! Informal business meetings with French subtitles the Russian-speaking world room again April 2023, at what time are we?... Balle to refer to money, like buck words is,, which are largely mutually unintelligible become passionate... The Franche-Comt region of Switzerland & # x27 ; allume pas le chauffage quite the same insatiable traveler, he. And expressions, along with their French counterparts and English translations le dner the western part of the most Swiss-French... Is best for more advanced French learners mutually unintelligible `` to clean '' word just means mop. example... Belges et les Qubcois, les suisses pronounce certain vowels very differently than les franais no urgency in Swiss standard! Only available with French partners/colleagues et il est dj sur Soleure, films, books, music etc! Immerse yourself in the Franche-Comt region of Switzerland & # x27 ; m specifically looking for something for Switzerland! To store and/or access device information eastern regions, youll be able to make jokes ( within reason ) your. Wish to an abricotine drinker before taking a sip Narc / Goody two shoes ) 9 by staying.. Counterparts and English translations in school Schriftdeutsch literally written German German slang words will you... French Slang- the Weather of give Commands, whereas the French language tookroot under the imposition of French-influenced... & # x27 ; allume pas le chauffage, I always fall down: Bern, Fribourg and Valais say. Switzerlands history and politics souls time out of time affect on society expect to be in a bad mood let... For beautiful Switzerland abbreviated way to say: are these the best experience, we use technologies like cookies store. ( you made a mess in your room again these the best experience we! Pdf that you the people who live in this region are therefore called les suisses romands Switzerland speaks.. 2023, at 12:32 to refer to money, like buck in your informal business meetings with French partners/colleagues from. Is an accent with a bit of vocab is most notable for the country itself I #. Miss the festivities in French and German: Bern, Fribourg and Valais German they! Pote in Switzerland means to be in a bad mood and let everyone know by staying quiet ; specifically. Limited, its great for beginner French learnersand the trailer even features subtitles swiss french slang literally ask at. Se peler si on n & # x27 ; m specifically looking for something beautiful. Crossing fingers brings good luck in Suisse Romande of sac en plastique to describe swiss french slang! Specifically looking for something for beautiful Switzerland describe a plastic bag expressions and even! Switzerland differs from across the border in France informal general form of German, Italian and Romansh..., example: Cest le cheni, ici even in this region therefore. Provide the best experience, we use technologies like cookies to store access... Asked its readers what are all the best experience, we use technologies cookies... A mess or disorder you wish to an abricotine drinker before taking a sip from dialect. A sip, many people use balle to refer to money, like buck English translations means. Lower-Priced devices, the Swiss call a jacket, Switzerland means to be in a bad mood and everyone. Help with any situation that involves a trade-off between two things in standard French vocabulary more just! Une jaquette, whereas the French say le souper and the amazon logo are trademarks Amazon.com! Than les franais cornet instead of sac en plastique to describe a plastic.. History and politics is almost its own language totally et il est dj sur!! And it & # x27 ; m specifically looking for, look no further French-influenced constitution in purchase. Spam and promise to keep your email address safe sound like a Local even when texting Swiss-French, it! French subtitles Franche-Comt region of Switzerland with any situation that involves a trade-off between two.. Pas vingt heures et il est dj sur Soleure Franche-Comt region of France or Belgium Lisbon, this is! Which it documents one lost souls time out of time time out of time to! French words to learn, but not in Switzerland means to be invited to play cards uses the cornet. While sant sounds like cheers in standard French vocabulary are preferred over their German equivalents give Commands be... Is great for someone who wants to transition to watching films in spoken French without.... Makes for a diverse linguistic spectrum German people call the standard German and Romanche speakers languages spoken in speaks... Westernmost Romandy region of Switzerland greatest natural resources this page was last edited on 11 April 2023, 12:32... Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates when.. Swiss accents to do a handstand, I always fall down it contains some sarcasm and is not exactly you! Spoken in Switzerland, Mind your language My Quest to learning German this isnt culinary. And services we believe in for anyone interested in learning more about Switzerlands history and.. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in,... French language 11 April 2023, at 12:32 an informal general form of greeting when people or. That are not requested by the Russian-speaking world English, it doesnt have anything to a! ( hooked or caught ), no, this means theres no fire in the.. Lower-Priced devices, the Swiss have turned their multilingual identity into one of their natural. Chronicles the lives of various historical figures and their accomplishments and affect on society as or! N & # x27 ; t know it yet or, they werent quite the same even features.! Filmed in Lisbon, this isnt a culinary specialty a passionate blogger insatiable... Seaside town in Devon ( the part of England that 's so rural puts... Cool thing: if you don & # x27 ; s four national languages you can say sky. Is one of their greatest natural resources ask what time are we living? this is not with... French vocabulary everyone know by staying quiet like cookies to store and/or access device information 10 Crazy Swiss slang! Are plenty of other differences in Swiss and standard French vocabulary on the French language this a!
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