Basic Words

1. Ja

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic affirmative answer

   Grammar Note

   A one-word answer

2. Nei

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative answer

   Grammar Note

   A one-word answer; to negate a sentence use nöd

3. Danke

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic thank-you; Merci is more common in daily life

   Grammar Note

   A one-word thank-you

4. Alles in Ornig

   It's OK / Everything is fine

   Usage

   Says that all is fine; also a reply to 'is everything OK?'

   Grammar Note

   composed: Ornig is the dialect form of the word for order

5. Ich verstah nöd

   I don't understand

   Usage

   A basic sentence for when you cannot follow what was said

   Grammar Note

   The negation nöd comes after the verb; Zürich uses nöd where Bern uses nid and Basel uses nit

6. Ich verstah

   I understand

   Usage

   A reply when you have followed an explanation

   Grammar Note

   composed: verstah is the 1st person singular of the verb to understand

7. Ich weiss nöd

   I don't know

   Usage

   A reply when you do not know the answer or the place

   Grammar Note

   composed: the negation nöd follows the verb

8. Kei Problem

   No problem

   Usage

   A way to say it is not a problem, in reply to a request or an apology

   Grammar Note

   composed: kei negates a noun, like Standard German kein

9. Ich bi fertig

   I'm finished

   Usage

   Says that you have finished a meal or a task

   Grammar Note

   composed: bi is the 1st person singular of the verb to be

10. Chönd Sie bitte warte?

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite request to ask someone to wait a little

    Grammar Note

    composed: the polite Sie takes the plural verb chönd; the question is formed by inversion

11. Es Momänt, bitte

    Just a moment, please

    Usage

    A short way to ask for a moment

    Grammar Note

    composed: Momänt is neuter, so the indefinite article is es

12. Ich ha e Reservation

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Tells a hotel or restaurant that you have booked

    Grammar Note

    composed: ha is the 1st person singular of the verb to have; Reservation is feminine

13. Ich ha kei Reservation

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Says up front that you are coming without a booking

    Grammar Note

    composed: to negate a noun put kei in front of it

14. Chönd Sie mir bitte hälfe?

    Could you please help me?

    Usage

    A polite request for help to a stranger or staff member

    Grammar Note

    composed: the dative mir means to me, and the verb hälfe stands at the end

15. Nomal, bitte

    Once more, please

    Usage

    A short way to ask someone to repeat what they said

    Grammar Note

    composed: Nomal combines no (still) and mal (time)

16. Chönd Sie langsamer rede?

    Could you speak more slowly?

    Usage

    A polite request to a stranger who speaks too fast; to a friend use the du form

    Grammar Note

    composed: the polite Sie takes the plural verb chönd, and the question is formed by inversion

17. Ich rede es bitzli Dütsch

    I speak a little German

    Usage

    Says that you speak only a little German

    Grammar Note

    composed: es bitzli is a fixed way to say a little

18. Reded Sie Änglisch?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    A polite question to staff or passers-by about whether they speak English

    Grammar Note

    composed: the polite Sie takes the verb ending -ed

19. Das da

    This one

    Usage

    Used to point at something close to you

    Grammar Note

    composed: da points to something near; for something farther use det

20. Das det

    That one

    Usage

    Used to point at something a little farther away

    Grammar Note

    composed: det is an adverb for a place farther away

21. Das det änne

    That one over there

    Usage

    Used to point at something quite far away

    Grammar Note

    composed: det änne means over there

22. Da

    Here

    Usage

    Points to the place where you are now

    Grammar Note

    A one-word adverb; for a distant place use det

23. Det

    There

    Usage

    Points to a place that is not near

    Grammar Note

    A one-word adverb; for a near place use da

24. Det änne

    Over there

    Usage

    Used when pointing out a place farther away

    Grammar Note

    composed: det (there) + änne (over)

25. ich

    I / me

    Usage

    The word for oneself; written in lower case except at sentence start

    Grammar Note

    A one-word pronoun; for we use mir or mer

26. Sie

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite word for you with strangers and elders; always capitalised

    Grammar Note

    The verb takes the plural form (chönd, händ)

27. zäme

    Together

    Usage

    An adverb for doing something together

    Grammar Note

    A one-word adverb that can stand before or after the verb

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