D Charte, bitte
The menu, please
Usage
The standard way to ask for the menu in a restaurant
Grammar Note
composed: feminine article d + Charte
Ich hett gärn es Bier
I would like a beer
Usage
A natural, polite way to order; hett gärn means would like
Grammar Note
composed: hett gärn (would like) + object; es is the neuter indefinite article
Zahle, bitte
The bill, please
Usage
A short way to ask the staff to bring the bill at the end of a meal
Grammar Note
composed: infinitive zahle + bitte
Chönd Sie mir d Rächnig bringe?
Could you bring me the bill?
Usage
A polite way to ask for the bill while seated; Rächnig means bill
Grammar Note
composed: polite Sie takes the plural verb chönd; the question uses inversion
Zäme oder getrennt?
Together or separate?
Usage
What staff ask when you pay, or what you say to choose how to split the bill
Grammar Note
composed: a short either-or question with the verb left out
Händ Sie öppis ohni Fleisch?
Do you have something without meat?
Usage
Used by vegetarians to check before ordering
Grammar Note
composed: polite Sie takes plural händ; ohni means without
Ich iss kei Fleisch
I don't eat meat
Usage
A basic sentence for stating a dietary preference
Grammar Note
composed: negation is kei + noun
Ich bi Vegetarier
I am vegetarian
Usage
States a dietary restriction; a woman adds -in as in Standard German
Grammar Note
composed: ich bi (I am) + noun
Ich bi allergisch uf Nüss
I am allergic to nuts
Usage
Say this before ordering; uf follows allergisch
Grammar Note
composed: allergisch uf + plural noun
En Tisch für zwei Persone, bitte
A table for two people, please
Usage
Used on entering a restaurant to ask for a table
Grammar Note
composed: en Tisch (masculine indefinite article) + für + number
Händ Sie en Tisch frei?
Do you have a free table?
Usage
Ask this when you arrive without a reservation
Grammar Note
composed: polite Sie takes plural händ
Was empfehled Sie?
What do you recommend?
Usage
Ask staff for help choosing a dish
Grammar Note
composed: polite Sie takes a verb ending in -ed
Das isch sehr fein
This is very tasty
Usage
A natural compliment for food; fein also means tasty
Grammar Note
composed: das isch + adjective
Es schmöckt super
It tastes great
Usage
Praises the taste; schmöcke means to taste
Grammar Note
composed: es schmöckt + adjective
Ich ha Hunger
I'm hungry
Usage
A basic way to say you are hungry
Grammar Note
composed: ich ha + noun
Ich ha Durscht
I'm thirsty
Usage
A basic way to say you are thirsty
Grammar Note
composed: ich ha + noun
Ich bi satt
I'm full
Usage
Use it when you cannot eat any more
Grammar Note
composed: ich bi + adjective
Ich ha das nöd bstellt
I didn't order this
Usage
Use it when the wrong dish arrives
Grammar Note
composed: perfect tense (ha + participle)
Chunnt s Ässe bald?
Is the food coming soon?
Usage
Ask staff when the wait is long
Grammar Note
composed: question form of chunnt (comes)
Nomal eis, bitte
One more, please
Usage
Use it to order another drink or dish
Grammar Note
composed: nomal + the number eis
Isch das scharf?
Is this spicy?
Usage
Ask before ordering if you do not like spicy food
Grammar Note
composed: a question with the verb first
Isch das frisch?
Is this fresh?
Usage
Asks about freshness, for example of fish or vegetables
Grammar Note
composed: a question with the verb first
s Brot
Bread
Usage
A basic word for the table or the bakery
Grammar Note
A neuter noun; a bread roll is a Brötli
s Brötli
Bread roll
Usage
Used at breakfast and in bakeries; -li marks a small thing
Grammar Note
composed: Brot plus the diminutive -li
de Riis
Rice
Usage
Refers to cooked rice
Grammar Note
A masculine noun
s Fleisch
Meat
Usage
A basic word for meat in general
Grammar Note
A neuter noun
s Poulet
Chicken
Usage
A French-derived word typical of Switzerland, common on menus
Grammar Note
A neuter noun
de Fisch
Fish
Usage
A basic word for ordering fish dishes
Grammar Note
A masculine noun
de Salat
Salad
Usage
A basic word for a starter or side dish
Grammar Note
A masculine noun
d Suppe
Soup
Usage
A basic word, often ordered at the start of a meal
Grammar Note
A feminine noun
de Chäs
Cheese
Usage
A Swiss staple; initial k becomes ch
Grammar Note
A masculine noun
s Ei
Egg
Usage
A basic word for breakfast; the plural is Eier
Grammar Note
A neuter noun
d Härdöpfel
Potatoes
Usage
The Swiss word for potatoes; the Standard German word is not used
Grammar Note
Used here in the plural
d Milch
Milk
Usage
A basic word for coffee and breakfast
Grammar Note
A feminine noun
de Zucker
Sugar
Usage
Used for sugar in coffee or tea
Grammar Note
A masculine noun
s Salz
Salt
Usage
A basic word for asking at the table
Grammar Note
A neuter noun
d Glace
Ice cream
Usage
In Switzerland Glace means ice cream, not ice
Grammar Note
A feminine noun borrowed from French
s Dessert
Dessert
Usage
Refers to the sweet course at the end of a meal
Grammar Note
A neuter noun
s Gmües
Vegetables
Usage
A collective noun for vegetables
Grammar Note
A neuter noun used collectively in the singular
s Zmorge
Breakfast
Usage
The Swiss word for breakfast
Grammar Note
The Standard German word Frühstück is not used
s Zmittag
Lunch
Usage
The Swiss word for lunch
Grammar Note
A neuter noun
s Znacht
Dinner
Usage
The Swiss word for dinner
Grammar Note
A neuter noun
More Swiss German phrases
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