With this list, you will hardly attain the level of a real “Zürischnure”, as Zurich dialect speakers – who talk fast and rather loudly – are known. But you are sure to score some sympathy points by using one or the other of these words or phrases when you are out shopping or ordering food:

ZüritüütschEnglish
Adiegoodbye
Ankebutter
äxgüsisorry/excuse me
Badiswimming baths/lido
Binätschspinach
bitte, pitti, gfeligplease
Bölleonion
Böllewèèäonion tart
Bööggbogeyman, snowman effigy that is burned at Sechsenläuten
es birebitzelia tiny bit/amount
es bitzelia little (bit)
Flätteräslap in the face
gäll, gälletsiIsn't that right?
Galööriidiot, jerk
gèèrnYes please
Grossmöischter, GrossmünschterGrossmünster
Grüezi, salü, tschaugood day
Guete Morgegood morning
habereeat, have a snack
Hitzgihiccoughs
Hoi, hallohallo, hi
Hüchlerbäsebouquet of flowers
hudleto rain heavily
lässigawesome, great, cool
Mittagässelunch
Münz(small) change/loose cash
Naabig, guetenaabiggood evening
Pfnüselto have a cold
Plagööria show-off
schamparvery
Schnägg5 franc coin
schuurigvery, extremely
tanke, mèrssithank you
tuttswittimmediately
Velobicycle
Wegglia round, flat bread roll
Zmorgebreakfast
zmörgeleto have brunch
Znacht, Zaabig, Aabigässeevening meal, dinner
Zouftguild house
Züri-GschnätzletsZürich Geschnetzeltes (local specialty made from veal strips in mushroom sauce)

 

Other Stories You Might Like

Multifaceted Zurich