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| City Guide > Europe > Switzerland > Zurich |
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Language Although French, Italian and Romansch are spoken in other parts of Switzerland, the official language in Zurich is German. Schweizerdeutsch (Swiss German) varies considerably from Hochdeutsch (High German), to the extent that Swiss films are often shown with subtitles in Germany. There are cantonal variations, so Zrideutsch (Zurich Swiss German) is a different dialect to one in Berne, for instance. It can be difficult to pick up – there is no real written version of the dialect and it can change rather quickly, so even other Swiss people will have difficulty passing as a true Zrcher. The way language is used is also important – Swiss-Germans tend to speak fairly quietly and are known for being direct. Gruezi is the most common greeting, and ‘thank you’ can be either Merci vielmal or Danke (pronounced ‘dankre’). English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, shops and business settings. Phrases Yes - Ja No - Nei Hello - Grezi / Grezi mitenand Goodbye - Uf wiederluege Please - Bitte schn Thank you - Danke / Merci vielmal My name is & - Min Name isch & How are you? - Wie gaht’s Ihne? / Wie gaht’s? I’m very well - Es gaht mir guet I feel ill - Es gaht mir schlcht How much does it cost? - Wieviel choschtet’s? Do you speak English? - Redet Sie nglisch? I don’t understand - Ich verstah nd Where is &? - Wo isch &? Entrance - Igang / Ifahrt Exit - Usgang / Usfahrt Danger - Achtung Open - Offe Closed - Gschlosse Toilets - Toilette Doctor - Arzt / rztin Hotel - Hotel Restaurant - Restaurant Beer - Bier Wine - Wii Menu - Men Today - Ht Tomorrow - Morn Monday - Mntig Tuesday - Zischtig Wednesday - Mittwuch Thursday - Dunnschtig Friday - Fritig Saturday - Samschtig Sunday - Sunntig One - Eis Two - Zwei Three - Dr Four - Vier Five - Foif Six - Schs Seven -Siebe Eight - Acht Nine - Nn Ten - Zh Twenty - Zwnzg Thirty - Driesg Forty - Vierzg Fifty - Ffzg Sixty - Schzg Seventy - Siebezg Eighty - Achzg Ninety - Nnzg One Hundred - Hundert One Thousand - Tusig |