Wine & Spirits

1. Ich hett gärn es Glas rote Wii

   I would like a glass of red wine

   Usage

   A polite, natural way to order a glass of wine at a restaurant or bar

   Grammar Note

   composed: hett gärn + object; no article follows the measure word Glas

2. Ich hett gärn es Glas wiisse Wii

   I would like a glass of white wine

   Usage

   The standard way to order white wine; wiisse is the inflected form of white

   Grammar Note

   composed: hett gärn + object; the adjective takes -e before a masculine noun

3. Ich hett gärn e Fläsche Wii

   I would like a bottle of wine

   Usage

   How to order a whole bottle instead of a glass

   Grammar Note

   composed: hett gärn + object; Fläsche is feminine

4. Chönd Sie mir en guete Wii empfähle?

   Could you recommend a good wine?

   Usage

   A polite way to ask staff or a sommelier for a recommendation

   Grammar Note

   composed: polite Sie takes plural chönd; the infinitive empfähle goes last

5. Isch das en Wii us de Schwiiz?

   Is this a wine from Switzerland?

   Usage

   Checks whether a wine is local; much Swiss wine is drunk inside the country

   Grammar Note

   composed: us de Schwiiz means from Switzerland; Schwiiz is feminine

6. Was passt guet dezue?

   What goes well with this?

   Usage

   Asks which drink goes with a dish

   Grammar Note

   composed: dezue is one word meaning with it

7. Isch dä Wii süess?

   Is this wine sweet?

   Usage

   Checks how sweet a wine is before ordering

   Grammar Note

   composed: dä is the demonstrative for masculine nouns

8. Nöd z süess, bitte

   Not too sweet, please

   Usage

   A short way to state your taste in wine or cocktails

   Grammar Note

   composed: nöd z + adjective means not too

9. Cha ich en Schluck probiere?

   May I try a sip?

   Usage

   Used when you want a small taste before choosing

   Grammar Note

   composed: the modal comes first and the infinitive goes last

10. Isch de Wii chalt?

    Is the wine chilled?

    Usage

    Checks the temperature of a white or sparkling wine

    Grammar Note

    composed: chalt means cold, the dialect form of Standard German kalt

11. Händ Sie au öppis ohni Alkohol?

    Do you also have something without alcohol?

    Usage

    A polite question for people who do not drink alcohol

    Grammar Note

    composed: polite Sie takes plural händ; no article follows ohni

12. Ich muess no fahre, ich trinke nüt

    I still have to drive, so I'm not drinking

    Usage

    A way to turn down a drink by explaining that you are driving

    Grammar Note

    composed: muess is the first-person singular of must; negation is made with nüt (nothing)

13. Nume es Glas, bitte

    Just one glass, please

    Usage

    A short way to order only a small amount

    Grammar Note

    composed: nume means only; Glas is neuter

14. Ich hett gärn en Schnaps

    I would like a schnapps

    Usage

    Orders a distilled spirit, often taken after a meal; it is strong, so mind the amount

    Grammar Note

    composed: hett gärn + object; Schnaps is masculine

15. Proscht!

    Cheers!

    Usage

    A toast said when glasses touch, among friends

    Grammar Note

    A one-word toast; it is customary to look the other person in the eye

16. de Wii

    Wine

    Usage

    The basic word for wine; note the long ii

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun, so the article is de

17. de rote Wii

    Red wine

    Usage

    The adjective takes -e before a masculine noun

    Grammar Note

    The adjective rote takes the ending -e before a masculine noun

18. de wiisse Wii

    White wine

    Usage

    The adjective takes -e before a masculine noun

    Grammar Note

    The adjective wiisse takes the ending -e before a masculine noun

19. d Fläsche

    Bottle

    Usage

    A basic word for a bottle of wine or other drink

    Grammar Note

    Feminine (or plural) noun, so the article is d

20. s Glas

    Glass

    Usage

    A basic word for a drinking glass

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun, so the article is s

21. de Apéro

    Apéro

    Usage

    In Switzerland this means a gathering with drinks and snacks before a meal or after an event

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun, so the article is de

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