German vs. Swiss German: 6 Main Differences

The main differences between German and Swiss German are in vocabulary, pronunciation, and syntax, with Swiss German featuring unique words, distinct phonetic characteristics, and a more flexible sentence structure.

Have you ever been intrigued by the intricacies of language, particularly between close yet distinct ones like German and Swiss German? If your answer is ‘yes’, this article is perfect for you.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the fascinating topic of German vs. Swiss German. We’ll highlight their unique attributes, examine their differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and syntax, and uncover how Swiss German has been shaped by Switzerland’s multilingual environment. Ready to unravel the distinctiveness of German and Swiss German? Let’s dive in!

Where to begin?

First, we need to tackle the “mysterious” status of Swiss German. Often, it is referred to as the ‘Swiss German language’. But, is it really a language on its own?

Swiss German is not a language, but rather an umbrella term for the collection of Alemannic dialects that are spoken in Switzerland. Each canton has its unique dialect and manner of speaking, which is why Standard German (Schriftdeutsch) is used in formal settings, official documents, schools and universities, news, films, literature, etc. But, that does not mean that the Swiss do not embrace their dialects. In fact, they represent a form of national pride and identity and are therefore widely used when speaking.

Swiss German is also used in writing, for example, in personal letters or text messages. However, since there is no official Standard Swiss German, there are no set rules for writing and speaking. Even so, we can make some generalizations and compare it to Standard German in order to have a better grasp of it.

Common vs. Official

In exploring the intricacies of German vs. Swiss German, it’s important to understand their roles in common usage and official capacities.

German, as we know, is the official language of Germany, Austria and one of the official languages in Switzerland. It’s used uniformly in governmental functions, media, education, and other formal contexts in these countries. Common usage is widespread, and while there are regional dialects in Germany and Austria, they are more similar to standard German than Swiss German is.

On the other hand, Swiss German, a collection of Alemannic dialects, is not a written or standardized language. It’s predominantly a spoken language, used in daily conversation, local radio, and TV programs within different cantons of Switzerland. However, in official settings, Swiss Standard German – a variety of Standard German – is used. This includes government, national news, education, literature, and formal speeches. Interestingly, many Swiss German speakers switch effortlessly between Swiss German and Standard German, a practice known as ‘diglossia’.

So, while Swiss German is more common in everyday informal communication, official matters require the use of Swiss Standard German. This dichotomy between ‘common’ and ‘official’ use provides a fascinating insight into the coexistence of these languages within Switzerland.

Dialects: A Rich Tapestry of Linguistic Variation

When we discuss German vs. Swiss German, it’s impossible to ignore the role of dialects. Dialects are regional or social variations of a language characterized by distinct pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

In Germany, dialects play a significant role in local identities. While ‘Hochdeutsch’, or Standard German, is used in official capacities and media, regional dialects, such as ‘Bavarian’ in Bavaria or ‘Low German’ in Northern Germany, are prevalent in everyday life.

Switzerland, however, presents a unique scenario. Swiss German refers not to a single dialect but a group of dialects known as ‘Alemannic’. Each Swiss canton and even towns within cantons can have their unique version of Swiss German, creating a rich tapestry of linguistic variation. Some of these include ‘Zurich German’, ‘Bernese German’, and ‘Basel German’. Interestingly, the Swiss education system encourages the use of local dialects alongside Swiss Standard German, promoting linguistic diversity. Furthermore, in some regions of Switzerland, the local dialects are integrated into the curriculum, providing a unique challenge for the special education teacher.

Despite the differences, the dialects of both German and Swiss German share a common Germanic root, highlighting a shared linguistic heritage amidst the rich diversity. Understanding this can enrich our comprehension of the dynamics between German and Swiss German and the fascinating continuum of dialects that reside within each.

Spelling (Orthography) and Pronunciation

There are several differences between Swiss German and Standard German when it comes to spelling and pronunciation. In general, the Swiss tend to shorten words and sounds. Here are some common patterns that you can notice.

Vowels and diphthongs

The Swiss use shorter sounds for diphthongs (two vowels next to each other in the same syllable), and they are usually transformed into long vowels. The /au/ of Standard German becomes /u/ in Swiss German; for example, “laut” becomes “lut” (loud). In many cases, the /ei/ sound becomes /i:/; “Schweiz,” for Switzerland, becomes “Schwiz.” The /eu/ and /äu/ sounds become /ü/ in cases like the High German “heute,” meaning “today,” which in Swiss German is “hüt.”

Standard German	Swiss German	English
laut	lut	loud
Schweiz	Schwiz	Switzerland
heute	hüt	today

Consonants

Swiss German consonants are a different case from vowels. Orthographically speaking, they are longer, whereas their pronunciation is a bit harsher than their German counterparts. For example, the Standard German /k/ becomes the famous Swiss German /ch/. This phenomenon occurs in many words like: “Koch” (chef), “kommen” (to come), “Kind” (kid), “kaufen” (to buy), which in Swiss German become “Choch,” “cho,” “Kind,” “chaufe.”

Standard German	English	Swiss German
Koch	cook	Choch
kommen	to come	cho
Kind	kid	chind
kaufen	to buy	chaufe

A change in consonants also happens often when the Standard German sound /st/  becomes /scht/ in Swiss German. For example, “fast,” meaning “almost,” becomes “fascht,” “ist,” the verb “to be,” becomes “ischt.” The High German word for “deadline,” ‘Frist’ becomes “Frischt,” and so on.

Standard German	English	Swiss German
fast	almost	fascht
ist	to be	ischt
Frist	deadline	Frischt

Additionally, the Standard German ‘ß’ is not used by the Swiss. An interesting theory explains how manufacturers of Swiss typewriters omitted this orthographic letter since they had to include French and Italian orthographic letters. Instead of this German feature, the Swiss use ‘ss.’ You can notice this in words like “Strasse” (street) instead of the German “Straße.”

Grammar

Apart from the different spelling of some words, once you get familiar with hearing sentences spoken in Swiss German, you can also notice that there are a few grammatical differences with Standard German.

Verb tenses

One of the things most people loathe about learning German is the complicated verb tenses. Swiss German makes it a bit easier on us by not using the simple past tense. Instead, there are only two verb tenses in Swiss German: the past (perfect) and the present. If you want to talk about something you did the day before, in Swiss German you use the perfect tense. For example, they would say “I have been at home” instead of “I was at home.”

Standard German – Past simple	English	Swiss German – Perfect
Ich war nach Hause	I was at home – I have been at home.	Ich bi hei gsi

Here is how the Standard German verb “seid”—to be—conjugates in the first person singular vs in Swiss German:

 

Tense	Standard German	English	Swiss German
Present Simple	Ich bin	I am	Ich bi
Present Perfect	Ich bin gewesen	I have been	Ich bi gsi

Genitive case

Another difference that you will spot when comparing the grammar between Standard German and Swiss German is the lack of a genitive case in Swiss German. This case does not exist as in High German and instead of a phrase construction such as “the girl’s sister,” the Swiss will say “the sister of the girl” or similar constructions without the genitive.

Gender

There are instances in Swiss German, in which the gender of nouns changes from the Standard German genders. For example, the neuter noun “das E-mail” (the e-mail) becomes feminine in Swiss German “die E-mail.”

Vocabulary

Italian and French influence, as well Swiss dialects on their own, have shaped many words in Swiss German into being different from those you will find in a High German vocabulary. For example, the Swiss use the French “merci” to say “thank you” much often than they use the German “danke.” When you go to work in Switzerland, you say you are going to “schaffe” instead of “arbeite.” Here are some other differences in Swiss vocabulary:

German	English	Swiss German
danke	thank you	merci (from French)
Fahrakarte	train ticket	Billett (from French)
Strassenbahn	streetcar	Tram (from French)
Bahnsteig	train platform	Perron (from French)
Bürgersteig	pavement	Trottoir (from French)
Schaffner	train conductor	Kondukteur/ Kondukteuse
Personalausweis	identity card or ID	Identitätskarte
Fahrrad	bicycle	Velo
arbeite	to work	schaffe
einkaufen	to go shopping	poschte
fast	almost	schier
Kartoffel	potato	Herdöpfel
Karotte	carrot	Rüebli
Schokolade	chocolate	Schoggi
Speiseeis/ Eis	icecream	Glace (from French)
Ziege	goat	Geiss
Handy	mobile phone	Natel

Colloquialisms – made in Switzerland

The Swiss have many special words and idioms that you will not encounter in Standard German, or if you do, they are a ‘product’ of Switzerland. The tongue twister word “Chuchichäschtli,” for example, is a unique word to Switzerland that denotes a type of kitchen cupboard. There are also particular words for weather patterns, such as “Bise” for colder winds, and “Föhn” for warm breeze (Föhn is also the Swiss-German word for a hairdryer). The Swiss greeting for “hello,” “Grüezi,” from the Swiss “Gott grüez-i”—”may God greet you”—is also a unique word to the country.

Feeling hungry, perhaps? Swiss German agrees; they have a specific word for a mid-morning snack:

“Znüni.” Speaking of breakfast, Müesli, the cereal mixture, originated in Switzerland as well. And let’s not forget the famous “Röstigraben,” a humorous term inspired by the “rösti” potato dish, used in Switzerland to refer to the cultural boundaries between the German-speaking and French-speaking Swiss.

Diminutives: A Touch of Endearment and Familiarity

The use of diminutives, or words that convey smallness or affection, provides another intriguing aspect in the comparison of German vs Swiss German.

In Standard German, diminutives are commonly formed by adding ‘-chen’ or ‘-lein’ to the end of nouns. For example, ‘Hund’ (dog) becomes ‘Hündchen’ (small dog or puppy), and ‘Mädchen’ (little girl) is derived from ‘Magd’ (maiden).

Swiss German, however, exhibits a unique pattern. Instead of ‘-chen’ or ‘-lein’, Swiss German predominantly uses ‘-li’ for diminutives, reflecting the dialect’s softer phonetic character. For instance, a ‘Hund’ (dog) in Swiss German becomes a ‘Hündli’ (small dog or puppy), and a ‘Brot’ (bread) can be affectionately referred to as ‘Brötli’ (little bread or roll).

This widespread use of diminutives in Swiss German not only adds a touch of endearment to the language but also indicates a level of familiarity and informality that aligns well with its primarily spoken use. So, whether it’s a ‘Chätzli’ (little cat) or a ‘Büechli’ (little book), the Swiss German diminutives bring a unique charm and local flavor to the language.”

Conclusion

These are the most evident differences that you will find when comparing Swiss German and German. If you are a German speaker, things should get easier with exposure to Swiss German. If you do not speak the language and want to learn, we recommend starting with learning Standard German first, as it is the basis for Swiss German. If all else fails, most people in Switzerland speak English, so you should be good. Best of luck!