Switzerland Travel Tips

Switzerland is a multilingual country with four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. The language you encounter will depend on the region you're visiting, as each language is predominant in different areas. However, English is widely spoken, particularly in tourist areas, major cities, and among younger generations. Many Swiss people are proficient in English, making it relatively easy for English-speaking travelers to communicate during their visit.

Please note that Swiss German is a dialect of the German language spoken in Switzerland. It varies significantly from standard German and is the most widely spoken language in the country, particularly in the German-speaking regions.

Here are some handy phrases for each official language:

German (Swiss dialect):

Grüezi (grew-tsee) - Hello

Merci vilmal (mer-see feel-mal) - Thank you very much

Wie goht's? (vee gohts) - How are you?

En guete! (en goo-teh) - Enjoy your meal!

Tschüss (choos) - Goodbye

French:

Bonjour (bohn-ZHOOR) - Hello

Merci (mehr-SEE) - Thank you

Au revoir (oh ruh-VWAHR) - Goodbye

S'il vous plaît (seel voo pleh) - Please

Excusez-moi (ehk-SKYOO-zay mwah) - Excuse me

Italian:

Ciao (chow) / Buongiorno (bwohn-jor-no) - Hello

Grazie (GRAHT-see-eh) - Thank you

Arrivederci (ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee) - Goodbye

Per favore (pair fah-VOH-reh) - Please

Mi scusi (mee SKOO-zee) - Excuse me

Romansh:

Allegra (AH-leh-grah) / Bun di (boon dee) - Hello

Grazia fich (GRAH-tsyah feekh) - Thank you

A revair (ah reh-VYR) - Goodbye

Per plaschair (pair plah-SHYR) - Please

Excusa mai (ehk-SKOO-zah my) - Excuse me