Markets & Souvenirs

1. Was choschtet das?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   The most basic way to ask a price, in markets and shops alike

   Grammar Note

   composed: a question with Was as object; choschtet is third-person singular

2. Cha me da verhandle?

   Can one negotiate the price here?

   Usage

   Haggling is not usual in Switzerland; ask politely and only at stalls or private sales

   Grammar Note

   composed: a general statement with me (one) as the subject

3. Git es en Rabatt, wänn ich meh nimm?

   Is there a discount if I take more?

   Usage

   Asks whether buying more brings a discount

   Grammar Note

   composed: Git es means there is; in the wänn clause the verb comes last

4. Isch das handgmacht?

   Is this handmade?

   Usage

   Checks whether a craft or food item is handmade

   Grammar Note

   composed: handgmacht is hand + made; the participle begins with g-

5. Chönd Sie das als Gschänk iipacke?

   Could you wrap this as a gift?

   Usage

   A polite request for gift wrapping in a shop

   Grammar Note

   composed: polite Sie takes plural chönd; iipacke is a separable verb meaning to wrap up

6. Wänn isch de Märt offe?

   When is the market open?

   Usage

   Asks when a market is open; in many towns the market runs on fixed weekdays

   Grammar Note

   composed: the verb comes second after the question word Wänn

7. Wo isch de Märt?

   Where is the market?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask where the market is

   Grammar Note

   composed: the verb comes second after the question word Wo

8. Cha ich e Quittig ha?

   Can I have a receipt?

   Usage

   Asks for a receipt after paying

   Grammar Note

   composed: Cha ich ... ha? is the set pattern for may I have

9. Ich luege nume, merci

   I'm just looking, thanks

   Usage

   A way to decline help from staff while you browse

   Grammar Note

   composed: luege means look; nume means only

10. Isch das frisch?

    Is this fresh?

    Usage

    Checks the freshness of vegetables, fruit or bread

    Grammar Note

    composed: the question puts the verb first

11. Das isch mir z tüür

    That is too expensive for me

    Usage

    A way to say a price is beyond your budget

    Grammar Note

    composed: z + adjective means too; z is a separate small word

12. Ich nimm das

    I'll take this

    Usage

    A short sentence for when you have decided to buy

    Grammar Note

    composed: nimm is the first-person singular of näme

13. Cha ich das probiere?

    May I try this?

    Usage

    Asks for a taste at a market stall; with non-food items it means try

    Grammar Note

    composed: the modal comes first in the question and the infinitive probiere goes last

14. Es Kilo, bitte

    One kilo, please

    Usage

    How to order fruit or vegetables sold by weight

    Grammar Note

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

15. Es halbs Kilo, bitte

    Half a kilo, please

    Usage

    How to order 500 grams of something sold by weight

    Grammar Note

    composed: halbs is the form that goes with a neuter noun

16. s Salz

    Salt

    Usage

    A basic grocery word

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun, so the article is s

17. de Zucker

    Sugar

    Usage

    A basic grocery word

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun, so the article is de

18. s Öl

    Oil

    Usage

    A basic word for cooking oil

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun, so the article is s

19. de Essig

    Vinegar

    Usage

    A basic grocery word

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun, so the article is de

20. de Anke

    Butter

    Usage

    In Swiss German butter is called Anke, not Butter as in Standard German

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun, so the article is de

21. de Chäs

    Cheese

    Usage

    A Swiss staple; the dialect form of Standard German Käse

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun, so the article is de

22. de Honig

    Honey

    Usage

    A basic word for a food sold at markets

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun, so the article is de

23. s Joghurt

    Yoghurt

    Usage

    Used as a neuter noun in Switzerland

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun, so the article is s

24. s Gschänk

    Gift

    Usage

    A basic word for a present or souvenir

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun, so the article is s

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