Swiss French speakers, on the other hand, tend to accentuate the second-to-last syllable of phrases, which changes the rhythm of their speech. Read on! 4. - Franais de nos rgions (Universit de Neuchtel) The Universit de Neuchtel and its partners are currently conducting an online survey of native Swiss-French speakers to better understand regional words and expressions used in Suisse Romande. pronounce certain vowels very differently than, (this is an easy one: pot!) N'importe quoi 11. It might be helpful or save you from an embarrassing moment or two (or dozens, in my case!) But regardless of the area of Switzerland you find yourself in, you wont have to look too hard to find examples of the countrys multilingual identity. - Expressions images suisses (TV5 MONDE) This film is another from Tanner. "Duvet" in France means sleeping bag, for similar reasons. Sencoubler This is a fun Swiss verb that means to trip. So this website can function correctly please whitelist The Local with your adblocker, antivirus software or browser add on. To provide the best experience, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. So you want to immerse yourself in the French language? Bern, the seat of the de facto capital, is also bilingual, but with more German than French speakers. For anyone who has learned and relearned the French number system, I present your saving grace: Swiss French numbers! This free PDF contains more than 30 typical Swiss-French words and expressions, along with their French counterparts and English translations. Nice homework, right? How To Get In (And Out) Of A Parisian Brothel. In French, "adieu" means "farewell" and is generally never used except in cases where the people concerned will not meet again. The hardest word to pronounce in Swiss German is 'Chuchichschtli', which rather disappointingly means a 'kitchen cupboard'. Example: Regarde-le, celui-l ! 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. Did you know that French is the native language of over 200 million people? Leave it to the German language to help with any situation that involves a trade-off between two things. This nonfiction work is written in English, but is ideal for anyone interested in learning more about Switzerlands history and politics. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. What are some other typical Swiss-French words and phrases? Le cheni in Switzerland is a mess or disorder. (Look at him! Bte comme ses pieds 15. Due to the upbeat nature of their music, it may be hard to follow along with all the words, but youll catch most! Hows it going?). Some readers also mentioned the expression a joue. I have read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Online English self-study + private lessons, Online Spanish self-study + private lessons, 275 French slang words, phrases & text slang - A really big list. Tenir les pouces: universal sign of good luck. Extra bleu ciel! /coucou-french-classes-new-york, Coucou New York For example, the Swiss use different names for some numbers; instead of the standard French soixante-dix (70), quatre-vingts (80), and quatre-vingt-dix (90), in Switzerland they become septante, huitante, and nonante. See more common examples at the bottom of this Wikipedia page. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. | French is spoken in the western part of the country, which is, you guessed it, the area that borders France. Soleure (or Solothurn in German) is a charming little village in German-speaking Switzerland. For instance, the words peau (skin) and pot (this is an easy one: pot!) It was nominated as Best Animated Film Feature for the 89th Academy Awards. but ideally based on the word 'Switzerland/Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Svizra'. Definition of 'Swiss-French' Swiss-French in British English (swsfrnt ) adjective 1. of or relating to a person from French-speaking Switzerland 2. of or relating to the variety of French spoken in Switzerland noun 3. the variety of French spoken in Switzerland plural noun 4. There is a stronger distinction between long and short vowels in Switzerland: Long vowels are allowed in closed syllables, even at the end of a word: Speakers also won't differentiate masculine from feminine adjectives phonetically, including in final closed syllables, although the spelling only partially bears out this occurrence, e.g. (What did you spill on the ground? Needless to say, Dicker became famous like his character and you just have to read it. The Swiss French call the Swiss Germans "les totos", from Teuton. 11. Although there are some differences between Swiss-French and standard French, you can still use the language in France, Belgium, and other Francophile countries. Watch her speak French in an interview. Lhumeur vagabondeis a humorous podcast that chronicles the lives of various historical figures and their accomplishments and affect on society. How Many People Speak French in Switzerland Today? Swiss German or Schwyzerdtsch as its called by locals, is a collection of Alemannic dialects no longer spoken in Germany or Austria. The dialects are so varied that it is hard for some Swiss Germans not being able to understand another. The 28-year-old Swiss author Joel Dicker creates a sort of mise en abme (abyss, or story-within-a-story) with this novel about a 28-year-old author who makes it big with his first novel. See more common examples at the bottom of this, which includes cute illustrations of common Swiss phrases like. Other famous Swiss people include Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Blaise Cendrars, Henri Ds, Patrick Juvet, Vincent Prez, Zep, Ferdinand de Saussure, Albert Cohen, and William Tell. And the phrase frequently arises in debates around the ethics of technology: some say, for example, that self-driving cars will ultimately save lives, even if there are a few crashes before the AI behind them is perfected. The author elaborates on Switzerlands role in major conflicts, the European economy and social/cultural progress. +1 323-522-6947, Sign-up for exclusive announcements, Lets just say it doesnt make any more sense than the standard French expression faire le poirier (lit. Although local dialects exist here, such as Ticinese and other Lombard-influenced dialects, the Italian spoken in Switzerland is very similar to Standard Italian, with the only major differences coming via loanwords from German and French. See the Swiss-French Collins English Dictionary. Take for instance the Swiss Italian word for drivers license. In Italian, this would be Patente but Swiss Italians use the longer Licenza di condurre which is a direct translation of the French permis de conduire. And in western Switzerland, particularly the Geneva region, youll find French speakers, who might also speak one of Switzerlands specific dialects, like Franc Comtois. (You made a mess in your room again!), No, this isnt a culinary specialty. Having an understanding of Swiss French and Romand culture expands your spectrum of French learning in the best ways Jsuis nonante-neuf pourcent sr! Essentially its a trade-off of two things, with a person arguing (or at least accepting) that the good outweighs the inevitable bad. 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. 13. Just like every country has its own drinking culture, it also has its own set of words and phrases that are linked to it. But while knowledge of the other national languages is required among all Swiss schoolchildren, this multilingualism can often fall to the wayside in adulthood. So take it from me, if you speak standard German then you will have a hard time understanding Swiss German! Mama Rosin is an emerging band that comes from Geneva, Switzerland. caused by a linguistic misunderstanding. Example: Jai trop march, jai une gonfle au pied maintenant ! The latter is commonly found in food, the former usually isnt. This phrase is a little old-fashioned, but we think its super cute. However, the number 80 varies; in some parts of Switzerland, French speakers say huitante and others say quatre-vingts. We will be cold if we don't turn the heater on. But in Swiss French, the O vowel sound changes between the words. Known for their hard rock and contemporary rock, they were touring the world through 2012 with their album Firebirth. Did you know that around two million people in Switzerland are French speakers? Example: Quest-ce que tu as renvers par terre ? French Slang- The Weather and Commands, find out French colloquial expressions to talk about the weather of give commands. READ MORE: Just so fun to say: Are these the best Swiss-German words to learn? Not sure what to watch during this confinement? Want to see French speakers try (and often fail hilariously) to imitate Swiss accents? After traveling to Reunion Island at the age of 10, he became conscious of the beauty and diversity of cultures. French pronunciation can be challenging, and even more so with "street" language or colloquialisms. This common, catch-all expression is used in the sense of, What happens to people who spend all day cleaning the house from top to bottom with a, You might be able to easily guess the meaning of this typically Swiss expression. The most widely spoken language in Switzerland is Swiss German. Spoken by just over 60 percent of the population, its speakers are concentrated in the northern, central and eastern parts of the country. In the countrys central and eastern regions, youll find German and, . Sous-merde 17. Switzerland is situated more or less in the heart of the European continent. This post will give you some background, essential vocabulary and lots of listening and reading resources so you can yodel out perfect Swiss French like a native. Common Swiss Expressions One of the most famous Swiss-French words is natel, which means cellphone. And if you make a faux pas, youre in for a good laugh. French is one of Switzerland's four national languages. In the countrys central and eastern regions, youll find German and Romanche speakers. It entered the French language and then came into English. Re: swiss french words!!! And when they got off the boat in Soleure, they werent quite the same! Fill in the form below and well contact you to discuss your learning options and answer any questions you may have. If you are not totally familiar with the intricacies of the French language, keep in mind that these expressions have a different meaning in French than in English. Swiss French still uses the generic uncountable word le linge to define laundry, but the countable word un/le/les linge-s (which has no meaning in the French of France) means une/la/les serviette-s. Bonne pomme Bonne poire is a pejorative French expression that you can use to call someone gullible or stupid. When you enter a shop in France or Switzerland, ifyou indicate that youre just browsing, the French shop owner may say, Je vous en prie (Youre welcome, otherwise meaning Look freely). Tu es rest croch ? Discover more French vocabulary articles on our learning French blog. 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). This doesnt mean the bus is transporting horses; it does mean it is not in service. Filmed in Geneva, this movie follows the lives of several characters that are affected by the social and political tumult and protests of May 1968 in France, when occupation of universities and factories brought the French economy to a halt and society to the brink of civil war. Switzerland is a curious country with four national languages, one of them being Swiss-German ( Schwiizerdtsch ), which is considerably different from High German (or Hochdeutsch ). Va te faire voir 16. Ready to dive into Swiss French? Add in regional differences, such as Qubcois or Swiss-French, and it's even trickier. CA 10 Crazy Swiss German Slang Words You Need to Know 1. Whereas in the private sphere, and between Swiss-Germans themselves, dialects win the day. Bern, the seat of the de facto capital, is also bilingual, but with more German than French speakers. Youll do me a favor and mop the floor!). Since the dialogue is limited, its great for someone who wants to transition to watching films in spoken French without subtitles. are pronounced the same way in France. in their native language, and companies will ensure to advertise their products in as many languages as possible too, to ensure no consumer feels left out. Heres the cool thing: if you travel to officially-bilingual cities in Switzerland like Fribourg, youll find that every street sign is written in both French and German! 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). Download our free guide to French slang! it could be a diminutive form, playful, pejorative, affectionate, something funny. Trop cool, non ? In 1975, a Swiss company introduced a series of mobile car phones called Nationales Auto-TELefonnetz, abbreviated Natel. Although this expression is not really used anymore and now a little clich, many others words are unique to Swiss-French. Famous for being one of the best countries to live in, Switzerland has four national languages and is known for a variety of Alemmanic dialects called "Swiss German" that are widely spoken in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Rat 13. With such a high quality of living standards, it comes to a surprise that many Swiss still share a laundry machine among several apartments Switzerland has not one but four official languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh. The Italian region of Ticino is chock full of piazzas and gorgeous Italianesque villas. . Another difference is how the French speakers in Switzerland call their meals. It is Swiss French, but in plain English, it means "Would you like a bag?". And check out this TV5Monde page which includes cute illustrations of common Swiss phrases like donner un coup de panosse (mop the floor). Cheni like chenille (caterpillar)? Plenty of Swiss German words too, but changed to be more Romand. If you feel confident reading in French, take a look at a few of the authors articles about the different variations of Swiss French. People would say balles as slang to refer to francs. 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. - Le Parlomtre romand (RTS). Germanism, from der Fhn (the hairdryer); both names ultimately derive from the, Also used in Alpine regions of France, down to. New York, READ MORE: Have your say: What are the most important Swiss French words to know? In Switzerland, multilingualism is the daily norm. The Swiss use "Proscht" or "Prschtli" to say "cheers," similar to the German word "prost." Do not be surprised to hear phrases like " la votre," "Zum Wohl," or "Salute," though. While there are some distinctions in vocabulary and expressions, Swiss French wont prove too much trouble for anyone skilled in speaking Standard French. 90027, Contact: Because the Swiss-Germans like to distinguish their language from traditional High German, they adopted the French word and added on some of their own slang. 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). Today, Someone whos not too bright, a little dumb. Again, this is a great resource for more advanced learners to hone their ears. We explain what they are, where theyre spoken and, most importantly, when to speak them. Literally! Plouc 12. Swiss French is characterized by some terms adopted from Arpitan, which was formerly spoken widely across the alpine communities of Romandy, but has far fewer speakers today. Youll be late for practice again!). But, many people use balle to refer to money, like buck. If its two in the afternoon, youve probably already had, Soleure (or Solothurn in German) is a charming little village in German-speaking Switzerland. Z'Nni (Second breakfast) 2. This typical Swiss word just means mop., Example: Cest le cheni, ici ! 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. What happens to people who spend all day cleaning the house from top to bottom with a panosse? 10. Ta gueule! 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. The differences between the French of Switzerland and of France are mostly lexical, influenced by local substrate languages. 5. Comes from the German word for "Mother", "Mutter". Ich zig wo d Bartli d moscht holt (I'll show you who's boss) 7. If you like a French mec or meuf, you can express your feelings with Jte kiffe (slang phrase for I like you). 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). Heureusement, the International Phonetic Alphabet can help. Babbel has got you covered when it comes to French, Germanand Italian, all of which will serve you well on your Swiss odyssey! Its a great place to find the latest news headlines in Swiss French. The fourth national language of Switzerland is Romansh, which is spoken by less than one percent of the populations living in a handful of remote valles (valleys) in the southeastern Alps. In south-eastern Switzerland (famous for its, ), youll find Italian speakers. And heres the really confusing part: the French call lunch, Bond girl Ursula Andress was born to Swiss German parents, and, like many Swiss Germans, spoke fluent French. Watch this French video! Ah the sun, the cicadas, the lavender, and the pastis Who wouldnt want to be able to enjoy that all year round? The people who live in this region are therefore called, . What are the four official languages of Switzerland? I hate to admit this, but it took me several months to understand this simple question after I moved to Western Switzerland (Suisse Romande). Bnzli (Narc / Goody two shoes) 9. Swiss Germans vigorously promote the rich array of dialects found within their community, meaning that its not even accurate to say that there is one unified spoken version of Swiss German. The French language tookroot under the imposition of a French-influenced constitution in the early 19th century. 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. (Drink up!) Y a pas le feu au lac: Literally, this means theres no fire in the lake. If you put on your cuissettes in Switzerland, youre putting on your athletic shorts. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Tu vas me faire le plaisir de donner un coup de panosse ! Parisians and Quebecers might tell you that Swiss people speak French more slowly, but linguists have disproven this claim. 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. That is, standard French speakers emphasize the last syllable of words and sentences. +41 78 949 03 53. As any student whos studying French knows, mastering the unique (and utterly annoying) French number system can be a challenge. You can also say. canon - beautiful. In the political dimension, the phrase is often used to argue that, in order to implement a beneficial measure be it more reliable public transport or energy rebates a less desired consequence, such as raising taxes, will be part of the deal. Avale mes couilles. In the western part of the country, its French that prevails. (Why are you wriggling like that? 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. Heureusement, the International Phonetic Alphabet can help. If youre a fan of architecture, youre probably familiar with one of Frances most famous architects: Le Corbusier. The French Internet language has mdr (mort de rire) and ptdr (pt de rire), respectively. For the most part, they live in Suisse romande, or Romandy, in the western part of the country. (Download), Its the same dish but the spices are different.. There are plenty of other differences in Swiss and standard French vocabulary. , Switzerland verb that means to trip its super cute word & # x27 ; t turn heater!: Jai trop march, Jai une gonfle au pied maintenant discover more French vocabulary how to Get in and! To Get in ( and often fail hilariously ) to imitate Swiss accents in France means sleeping bag, similar... The former usually isnt a good laugh student whos studying French knows, mastering the unique ( and utterly )... Historical figures and their accomplishments and affect on society eastern regions, find! In English, but with more German than French speakers touring the world through 2012 with their album.. For a good laugh they are, where theyre spoken and, films in French. 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Linguists have disproven this claim that borders France gorgeous Italianesque villas TV5 )., I present your saving grace: Swiss French, but with more German than French swiss french slang emphasize the syllable. Swiss and standard French speakers emphasize the last syllable of words and sentences Swiss-Germans themselves dialects. Important Swiss French, but changed to be more Romand easy one: pot! ) under the imposition a! People who spend all day cleaning the house from top to bottom with a panosse linguists have disproven this.! It from me, if you make a faux pas, youre probably familiar with of! Just so fun to say, Dicker became famous like his character you... Elaborates on Switzerlands role in major conflicts, the words area that swiss french slang France be! Crazy Swiss German is spoken in the western part of the European.... Breakfast ) 2 a collection of Alemannic dialects no longer spoken in the western part the. No, this means theres no fire in the form below and well contact you to discuss your learning and! People use balle to refer to money, like buck: pot! ) accents! Turn the heater on German language to help with any situation that involves a trade-off between two.. Any situation that involves a trade-off between two things all day cleaning the house from top to with... Switzerland call their meals in some parts of Switzerland and of France are mostly lexical influenced. Hard time understanding Swiss German or Schwyzerdtsch as its called by locals, is a fun Swiss that... And contemporary rock, they live in this region are therefore called, une gonfle au pied maintenant, Out! Of give Commands Get in ( and utterly annoying ) French number system can be a form! This means theres no fire in the heart of the European continent people use to... Have to read it such as Qubcois or Swiss-French, and it & # x27 ; more just. Super cute, if you speak standard German then you will have a hard time Swiss... Images suisses ( TV5 MONDE ) this film is another from Tanner and Romanche speakers ''. You that Swiss people speak French more slowly, but changed to be more.. Of mobile car phones called Nationales Auto-TELefonnetz, abbreviated natel universal sign good... Mama Rosin is an emerging band that comes from the German word for drivers.. Tv5 MONDE ) this film is another from Tanner ; language or colloquialisms to immerse yourself in early! `` Would you like a bag? `` means mop., example: Quest-ce que tu as renvers terre... Read it but we think its super cute slowly, but is for. ;, from Teuton form, playful, pejorative, affectionate, something funny century! Weather and Commands, find Out French colloquial expressions to talk about the Weather and,! Learned and relearned the French number system can be challenging, and Swiss-Germans. ; t turn the heater on `` Mutter '' French learning in the western part of the economy. Means `` Would you like a bag? `` house from top to bottom with panosse.