Helvetism

A Helvetism (new lat. "Helvetia" = Switzerland and -ism) is any distinctive characteristic of Swiss Standard German that is not found in other varieties of Standard German. The most typical helvetisms appear characteristically in vocabulary and pronunciation, but their certain helvetisms also appear in syntax and orthography.

While Swiss citizens habitually use their native vocabularies, that does not qualify as real errata. The Duden sanctions a number of helvetisms as correct Standard German - characteristic of Switzerland. They are part of the "Swiss standard language"/"Swiss standard German", but only if they aren't too seldom - If their use is limited to a certain dialect, they are rated as typically dialect ("mundartlich"). In orthography, the most visible difference from Standard German usage outside Switzerland is the absence of ß (officially abolished in the Canton of Zürich in 1935, the sign fell gradually out of use; it was dropped by the NZZ in 1974).

Helvetisms may either be employed consciously or unconsciously by a Swiss German speaker. There are Swiss authors, that often use helvetisms knowingly within Standard German, notably Jeremias Gotthelf in his novels set in the Emmental, and more recently Tim Krohn in his "Quatemberkinder", whilst others (e.g. Peter Stamm, whose books are read throughout the German speech area) try to keep helvetisms out of their works. Some seem to like helvetism and play with it, to express a popular feeling: Peter Bichsel, who writes "Beiz" instead of "Kneipe" and uses the demotic "Kasten" instead of "Schrank" ("Armoire") in his short story "San Salvador".) Helvetisms sometimes aren't easy to notice, it can only be an article, that differs: Markus Werner in "Zündels Abgang" uses "Tram" ("streetcar"), that in Germany has the female article "die", with the neuter article "das", like the Swiss do.

A helvetism may also be a word, that stems from Swiss language region, but is now known worldwide (e.g.:" Müsli, Putsch"). In this case, the term "helvetism" is used parallel to terms like "Anglicism" (see: Loanword).

Similar to "helvetisms", there are Austriacisms and Teutonisms (Also wrongly called "Germanisms"), which coin the national variety.

Abbreviations used in following word list

*"inf." used in informal situations
*"dial." dialect
*"aust." Austrian
*"TM." trademarkAfter the helvetism, you see the German word followed by the English translation.

Vocabulary

Some vocables are used instead of or besides a Standard German vocable. In some parts of the German language area, those vocables are known, too - but used seldom.

Kitchen, Dining and Restaurant

*der/das "Apéro" or "Apero" (Umtrunk=Taking appetizers and drinks - standing - before a feast)
*das "Aromat" (TM., special Swiss condiment)
*das "Bahnhofbuffet" (Bahnhofrestaurant=railway restaurant)
*der "Ballon"/das "Ballönli" dial./inf. (Glas Wein=a glass of wine)
*die "Baumnuss" (Walnuss=walnut)
*die "Beiz" inf. (Kneipe=drinking hole, compare with: "Beis(e) l", aust.)
*der "Bierteller" (Bierdeckel=table mat for glasses of beer)
*der/das "Café Mélange" (Kaffee mit Schlagsahne=coffee with cream)
*der/die "Coupe" (Eisbecher=sundae)
* das "Cüpli" (Glas Champagner/Sekt=glass of champagne)
*"durchzogen" (mittelmässig=middle-rate, aust., "durchwachsen")
*der "Gipfel", das "Gipfeli" (Hörnchen=Croissant)
*die "Glace"/das "Glacé" (Speiseeis=ice cream)
*"grillieren" (grillen=making a barbecue)
*das "Gue(t)zli"/"Güe(t)zi" dial./inf. (Plätzchen, Keks=cookie, biscuit)
*der/das "Kaffee crème" oftmals auch "Café crème" (Kaffee mit Sahne=coffee with cream)
*der "Kartoffelstock" (Kartoffelpüree=potato mash)
*der "Kirsch" (Kirschwasser=kirsch)
*die "Metzgete" (Schlachtplatte=meat platter)
*der "Milken" (Kalbsbries, Kalbsmilch=calf milk)
*das "Morgenessen" (Frühstück=breakfast)
*das "Nachtessen" (Abendessen=evening meal)
*der "Nüsslisalat" bzw. (in Bern) "Nüssler" (field salad, lambs' lettuce)
*das "Panaché" (Radler=shandy)
*die "Peperoni" (Paprika=red pepper, but yellow and green ones, too)
*die "Pinte" (Restaurant)
*der "Pflümli" (schnaps made of plums)
*das "Poulet" (poultry)
*das "Praliné" ("Praline", but accentuated on the "a"=praline)
*die "Rande";seldom in sing. (rote Bete=beetroot)
*"rezent" ;related to cheese: scharf, salzig=peppery and salty)
*das "Rüebli" dial./inf. (Möhre, Karotte=carrot)
*der "Sauerrahm" (Creme fraiche)
*die "Schale" oder "Schale gold" (heller Milchkaffee=blonde white coffee)
*die "Schoggi" dial./inf. (Schokolade=chocolate)
*die "Serviertochter"; antiquated (Kellnerin=waitress)
*das "Supplément" (zusätzliche Portion, Nachsch

*der "Süssmost" (Apfelsaft=apple juice)
*das "Tearoom" oder "Tea Room"; antiquated (Café=café)
*der "Thon" (Thunfisch=tuna, tunny fish)
*"tischen" (den Tisch decken=cover the table)
*das "Voressen" (Gulasch, Ragout=goulash)
*"währschaft" (deftig, solide, urwüchsig=solid, ethnic)
*die "Weindegustation" (also aust., Weinprobe=degustation of wine)
*der/das "Zmorge" dial./inf. (Frühstück=breakfast)
*der/das "Znüni" dial./inf. (Zwischenmahlzeit am Vormittag=snack before midday)
*der/das "Zmittag" dial./inf. (Mittagessen=lunch)
*der/das "Zvieri" dial./inf. (Zwischenmahlzeit am Nachmittag=snack after midday)
*der/das "Znacht" dial./inf. (Abendessen=dinner)
*die "Zucchetti" (Zucchini=zucchini)

Home and Household

*der "Abwart" (Hausmeister, Hauswart=caretaker)
*die "Alterssiedlung" (Altenwohnheim=home for the aged)
*die "Attikawohnung" (Penthouse=attic flat)
*die "Aufrichte" (Richtfest, aust: Firstfeier=topping-out ceremony)
*der "Estrich" (Dachboden=screed)
*die "Finken" (Hausschuhe, Pantoffeln=finches, slippers)
*der "Harass"/die "Harasse" (Getränkekiste=a solid box, bottles come in)
*der "Kehricht" (look under "Güsel" / "Ghüder")
*die "(Lamellen-)Store" (Jalousie=jalousie)
*der "Mietzins" (aust., too; Miete=rent)
*die "Pfanne" (Topf=pot)
*"posten" (einkaufen gehen=go shopping (rather for daily shopping than for luxury))
*das "Riegelhaus" (Fachwerkhaus=(half-)timbered house)
*"ringhörig" (hellhörig=clairaudient)
*der "Schüttstein" (Ausguss in Küche=sink in kitchen)
*das "Lavabo" (Ausguss im Badezimmer=washbasin in bathroom)
*das "Sackmesser" (south-German, too; Taschenmesser=pocket knife)
*der "Spannteppich" (Teppichboden=room carpet, fitted carpet)
*das "Spital" (aust., too;Krankenhaus=hospital)
*das "Stöckli" (Altenteil, Ausgedinge=cottage of estate reserved for use by parents.(That's the informal synonym for the Swiss Ständerat, too))
*der "Tumbler" ((Kleider-) Trockner=dryer for clothes)
*"versorgen" (wegräumen=to put sth. away)
*"wischen" (kehren, f

*"zügeln" (umziehen=relocating)

Trading

*der "Abriss" (Nepp=gyp)
*die "Lehre" (auch aust., Anlernzeit=apprenticeship)
*die "Betreibung" (Zwangsvollstreckung=prosecution)
*das "Bierdepot" (Bierverlag, nicht Bierpfand=beer distributor)
*das "Brockenhaus" (Gebrauchtwarenladen, v.a. für Möbel=secondhand store orig. merely for furniture, but some have e.g. books and clothes, too)
*der "Coiffeur" (Friseur=hairdresser)
*das "Depot" (Pfand bei Mehrwegverpackungen=deposit (e.g. on bottles))
*der "Detailhandel" (Einzelhandel=retailing)
*der "Einzahlungsschein" (Überweisung,Zahlkarte, Erlagschein=credit slip)
*der "Gesamtarbeitsvertrag", Abbrev. "GAV" (Tarifvertrag, Kollektivvertrag=collective labor agreement)
*die "Lehrtochter" (die Auszubildende=girl in an apprenticeship)
*der "Lehrsohn" (der Auszubildende=boy in apprenticeship)
*die "Offerte" (das Angebot=the offer)
*die "Papeterie" (Schreibwarenhandlung=stationery shop)
*der "Redaktor";accentuated on second syllable (Redakteur=editor)
*das "Sackgeld" (Taschengeld=pocket money)
*der "Zeitungsverträger" (Zeitungsausträger=paperboy)

Traffic

*die "Ausfahrt" (aust., too Abfahrt=slip road for leaving motorway)
*die "Abzweigung" (aust., too Abzweiger=branch of the street to turn to)
*der "Autobus" short "Bus" (Omnibus=omnibus)
*der "Autocar" short "Car" (Reisebus=motor-coach)
*der "Automobilist" (Autofahrer=car driver)
*das "Autopermis" short "Permis" (Führerschein=driving license)
*der "Autoverlad" (aust., too PW-Huckepackverkehr=car pickaback on train)
*das "Billet" (Fahrkarte, inf. also Führerschein=entry ticket for e.g. a concert, inf. for driving license, too)
*der "Camionneur" (Fuhrunternehmer=carter)
*der "Dolendeckel/Senklochdeckel";Dolendeckel is South-German, too (Kanaldeckel, Gully=gully cover)
*der "Fahrausweis" (Führerschein=driving license)
*der "Führerausweis" (Führerschein=driving license)
*die "Garage" (KFZ-Werkstatt= auto (car)repair shop)
*der "Garagist" (Werkstatteigentümer=owner of auto /(car) repair shop)
*der "Kondukteur" (Schaffner, Zugbegleiter=conductor)
*die "Kondukteuse";Made-up word, doesn't even exist in French (Schaffnerin, Zugbegleiterin=female conductor.)
*der "Lenker" (Fahrer=driver)
*das "Lichtsignal" (Verkehrsampel=traffic lights)
*das "Motorfahrzeug" (Kraftfahrzeug=motor vehicle)
*die "Occasion" accentuated on first syllable (Ware aus zweiter Hand, especially: Der Gebrauchtwagen=second-hand car)
*der "ÖV", "öffentlicher Verkehr" (öffentlicher Verkehr=public transport)
*"parkieren" (parken=to park)
*die "Passerelle" (Fussgängerbrücke=bridge for pedestrians)
*das/der "Perron" (Bahnsteig=railway station platform)
*der "Pneu" (Autoreifen=tires)
*der "PW" (PKW, Personenkraftwagen=passenger car, private car)
*der "Rank" dial./inf. (Kurve=curve)
*das "Retourbillet" (Rückfahrkarte=return ticket)
*das "Rotlicht" (Ampelanlage=traffic lights)
*das/der "Töff" inf. (Motorrad=motorbike)
*das "Tram" (also Aust. and South-German, Straßenbahn=streetcar, tram)
*das "Trassee" (Trasse, Bahnkörper=railroad roadbed)
*das "Trottinet" (Tretroller=scooter)
*das "Trottoir"accentuated on first syllable (also Aust. and South-German; Bürgersteig, Gehweg=sidewalk, pavement)
*das "Velo" (von Veloziped; Fahrrad=bicycle)
*der "Zwischenhalt" (Zwischenstation=intermediate station)

Military

*das "Abgeben" (Entlassung aus der Dienstpflicht=discharge from service duty)
*der "Auditor" (Ankläger bei Militärgericht=prosecutor at military court)
*der "Dienstverweigerer" (Wehrdienstverweigerer=person who refuses to carry out military service)
*der "Endalarm" (Entwarnung=all-clear)
*der "Feldweibel" (Feldwebel=sarge)
*das "Kantonnement" (Truppenunterkunft=troup quarters)
*der "Kommandant" (Kommandeur=commander)
*die "Rekrutenschule" Abk.: "RS" (militärische Grundausbildung=military basic education)
*die "Wacht" (Wache="watch" or guard)
*der "Wiederholungskurs" Abk.: "WK" (akin "Reservistenübung"=reservist's drill)

Education

*das "Gymi" (ausgesprochen: IPA| ['gimi] ) spec. "Gymer" (only canton of Bern) inf. (Gymnasium=grammar school)
*der "Hauptlehrer" (verbeamteter Lehrer=functionary teacher)
*die "Kantonsschule" inf. "Kanti" (Gymnasium=grammar school)
*die "Legitimationskarte", abgekürzt inf. "Legi" (Studentenausweis=student's pass)
*der "Maibummel" (Maiwanderung=hike in May)
*die "Matur, Matura" ("Matura" also Aust.; Abitur=university-entrance diploma)
*der "Maturand" (Abiturient; aust.: Maturant=student achieving university-entrance diploma)
*die "Mittelschule" (also aust., höhere Schule=high school)
*der "Mittelschullehrer" (Gymnasiallehrer; Studienrat; aust.: high school professor)
*die "Promotion" (also aust., Versetzung=displacement)
*die "Schulreise" (Klassenfahrt=school trip)
*der "Schulthek"/"Thek" (Schulranzen, Tornister=school satchel)
*der "Sporttag" (Schulsportfest=school sports' day)

Politics, State and Law

*der "Aktivbürger" (volljähriger Staatsbürger=adult citizen with right to vote)
*die "Absenz" (das Fernbleiben, and its annotation= absence, and its annotation)
*"ausmehren" (bei einer Landsgemeinde die Mehrheit ermitteln=finding the majority at a voting event)
*"ausschaffen" (abschieben=deportation (of refugees, criminals))
*"bedingt" (also Aust., mit Bewährungsfrist=on probation)
*der "Bezüger" (Bezieher=recipient (of e.g. unemployment benefit))
*die "Busse", (Bussgeld), auch: "gebüsst werden"=monetary fine)
*die "Classe politique" (die Politiker=the politicians (often pejorative))
*der "Courant normal" (normale Tagesgeschäfte=daily business)
*das "Departement" (Ministerium, Fakultät, Abteilung=department)
*"auf etwas eintreten" (auf etwas eingehen=agree to a proposal)
*die "Einwohnerkontrolle" (Einwohnermeldeamt=residents' registration office)
*der "Entscheid" (amtliche Entscheidung, Beschluss=the official decision)
*"fehlbar" (schuldig=guilty)
*der "Fürsprecher" mainly in region Bern, also "Fürsprech" (Anwalt=advocate)
*das "Gegenmehr" (Gegenstimmen=opposing votes)
*der "Gemeindeammann" (in some cantons: Bürgermeister=governor)
*der "Gemeindepräsident" (in some cantons: Bürgermeister=governor, mayor)
*"grossmehrheitlich" (mit grosser Mehrheit=with large majority)
*die "Identitätskarte (kurz ID)" (Personalausweis=ID)
*der "Landammann" (in some cantons: Ministerpräsident=Prime Minister)
*der "Personalausweis"; compare with ID (Mitarbeiterausweis=employee's pass)
*der "Regierungsrat" (in most cantons: Regierung=government)
*die "Schriften" (Ausweispapiere, Heimatschein=identity papers and certificate of residence)
*die "Schwellentelle" (Grundsteuer=main tax, basic tax)
*der "Secondo", die "Seconda" (Einwandererssohn, Einwandererstochter=son/daughter of immigrant)
*das "Signalement" (spoken German) (Personenbeschreibung=Description of a person's look)
*der "Souverän" (das Volk, Inhaber der Staatsgewalt=the people, holder of state power)
*der "Staatsrat" (Regierung; Minister=government, minister)
*der "Stadtammann" (in some cantons Oberbürgermeister=chief governor)
*der "Stadtpräsident'; bzw. inf.: "Stapi" (Oberbürgermeister=chief governor)
*die "Standeskommission" (Appenzell Innerrhoden: Regierung=government)
*das "Steueramt" (Finanzamt=finance office, tax office)
*der "Stimmbürger" (Wahlberechtigter=adult inhabitant with right to vote)
*der "Teilstaat" (Bundesstaat, especially USA=country)
*die "Traktandenliste" (Tagesordnung=agenda of a congress)
*das "Traktandum" (Tagesordnungspunkt=point in the agenda)
*"unbedingt" (ohne Bewährungsfrist=without probation)
*die "Vernehmlassung" (Umfrage bei Parteien und Verbänden über ein Gesetzesprojekt=making a poll among parties and club regarding a planned law)
*"verzeigen" (jemanden anzeigen=to make a report)

ociety and Local Culture

*der "Alpaufzug" (Almauftrieb=bringing the cattle on the alps each year)
*die "Auffahrt" (Christi Himmelfahrt=Ascension of Christ)
*der "Ausgang" (verb:"ausgehen"=to date)
*die "Badi" dial./inf. (Freibad=open air bath)
*die "Besammlung" (Sich-Versammeln=gathering)
*die "Cervelatprominenz"; a cervelat is a sausage (Lokalprominenz=local celebrities)
*die "Chilbi"/"Kilbi" (Kirchweih; Kirmes=parish fair)
*der "Familiengarten" (besides Schrebergarten=allotment garden)
*die "Fasnacht" (Fastnacht, Karneval, Fasching=carnival)
*das "Grosskind" (Enkelkind=grandson)
*der "Hinschied" (Hinscheiden=dying)
*der "Kronfavorit" (Spitzenkandidat, Topfavorit=top favorite)
*das "Leidmahl" (Leichenmahl=funereal meal)
*der "Mesmer" (in north-east of Switzerland: Küster=sexton)
*die "Pfadi" (Pfadfinder=Boy Scout movement)
*der "Redaktor" (Redakteur=editor)
*der "Schmutzli" (Knecht Rupprecht=assistant of Santa Claus (Samichlaus))
*der "Sigrist" (Küster=sexton)
*"urchig" dial./inf. (urig=very old-fashioned (used on Swiss ethnical topics))

Nature

*die "Alp" (Alm=Alps)
*"einnachten" (Nacht werden=getting dusk)
*die "Bise" (kalter, trockender Nordostwind=cold dry wind from north-east)
*der "Erdschlipf" (Erdrutsch=landslide)
*der "Föhn" (Wind über die Alpen=a wind that goes through the alps)
*das "Gitzi" dial.inf. (Zicklein=little goat)
*der "Muni" dial./inf. (Stier=male bull)
*der "Pflotsch" (Matsch=mud (also used for melting snow))
*die "Rüfe" (Erdlawine=kind of avalanche consisting of dirt)
*das "Tobel" (Schlucht=canyon)
*die "Trute" (Pute, Truthenne=turkey)

ports

(Football features a lot of Anglicisms)
*der "Ausstich" (Stechen=play-off)
*der "Corner" (Eckball=corner)
*der "Final" (das Finale=final)
*der "Flanke or Flangge" (der Querpass=cross)
*das "Goal" (Tor=goal)
*der "Goalie" (also aust., Torhüter=goal keeper)
*die "Nati"; spoken "Natzi", pronunciation on 1st syllable short (Nationalmannschaft=national team)
*das "Offside" (Abseits=offside)
*das "Hands" (Handspiel=handball, hands)
*der "Penalty" pronunciation on first syllable short (Elfmeter=penalty)
*"crawlen" for kraulen (Kraulschwimmen=crawling)
*"schlitteln" (Schlitten fahren=riding on a bobsledge)
*"skifahren" (also Aust., schilaufen=skiing)
*"snöben" inf. (Snowboard fahren=snowboarding)

Human Attitudes

*"angriffig" (angriffslustig, draufgängerisch=aggressive)
*"antönen" (andeuten=denoting)
*"sich auffangen"; Aust.:"sich erfangen" (sein seelisches Gleichgewicht wiederfinden=calming down, finding balance in soul)
*"aufgestellt" (gut drauf; gut gelaunt=happy)
*"Aufsteller" (gute Nachricht=good news)
*"Entenklemmer" (geiziger Mensch=stingy person)
*"eindrücklich" (eindrucksvoll=impressive)
*"fuhrwerken" (herummachen, hantieren=to handle, to tamper), and "verfuhrwerken" (verpfuschen=botching)
*"herzig" (liebenswürdig, "süss"=sweet)
*"krampfen" (angestrengt arbeiten=working hard)
*"(ab)serbeln" (dahinsiechen=being seriously sick, going towards death (used for plants, too))
*"speditiv" (rasch, zügig=swiftly)
*der "Rappenspalter" (stingy person)
*"zwängeln" (quengeln=whining, grouching)
*die "Zwängerei" (Drängerei; unnachgiebiges Beharren=whining, grouching)

Others

*"allfällig" (etwaig=case, that are possible. e.g. "allfällige Unfällig"="possible accidents")
*das "Argumentarium" (Liste von Argumenten=list of arguments)
*der "Beschrieb" (Beschreibung=description)
*die "Wegleitung" (Beschreibung, Leitfaden=description, vade-mecum)
*die/der "Jupe";spoken French or German (Joppe, Rock=skirt)
*der "Leerschlag" (Leerzeichen=space character)
*das "Nastuch" inf. (Taschentuch=kleenex, paper hanky)
*das "Natel" from "NAT"ionales Auto"TEL"efon; TM. (Mobiltelefon, Handy=cell phone)
*die "Notfallstation" (Unfallstation=med station)
*"rezyklieren" (wiederverwerten, recyceln=to recycle)
*die "Sanität" (Sanitätsdienst, Rettung=medical emergency service)
*der "Sauglattismus" (modischer Schwachsinn=modern and disproportional Stupidity)
*"schlussendlich" (Aust., too letzten Endes, letztendlich=finally)
*die "Spitex" (ambulante Krankenpflege=out-patient nursing)
*"strub" (verworren, wild, schwierig=diffuse, wild, difficult, gross)
*der "Unterbruch" (Unterbrechung=interruption)
*die "Zigi" inf. (Zigarette=cigarette)

Other/Additional Meaning

*die "Abdankung" (Trauerfeier=funeral)
*der "Ableger" (Filiale=subsidiary)
*die "Aktion" (also aust., Sonderangebot=special offer)
*"aufgestellt" (umgänglich, fröhlich, spontan=sympathetic, spontaneous)
*der "Ausläufer" (Bote, Laufbursche=delivery boy)
*der "Estrich" (Dachboden, Speicher=attic)
*das "Gipfeli" or der "Gipfel" (Hörnchen, Aust. "Kipferl"=croissant)
*"harzig" (zäh, langsam=slowly, not swiftly)
*"kehren" (umdrehen=turning e.g. a piece of paper)
*der "Kommissär" (Kriminal-Kommissar=commissar)
*der "Kübel" (Glas Bier von 5 dl=glass of beer containing 5 dezilitres)
*die "Laube" (Arkade, Bogengang; Balkon eines Bauernhauses=archway, terrace of a farmer house)
*die "Legislatur" (Legislaturperiode, Gesetzgebungsperiode=election period)
*die "Mutation" (Änderung, z. B. Adressänderung=changes e.g. in addresses)
*der "Nationalrat" (Abgeordneter der Volkskammer des Parlamentes=delegate of the people's congress of the parliament)
*der "Notfall" (Unfallstation=medical emergency station)
*das "Paprika" (Gewürz aus der Chilischote=spice from the vegetable chili)
*die "Peperoncini (die Chilischote; vom Italienischen il peperoncino=the vegetable chili)
*die "Peperoni"; from the Italian (Paprika=red peppers, but also yellow and green ones)
*der "Plausch" inf. (Vergnügen=fun)
*das "Puff" inf. (Unordnung, Durcheinander, Bordell=chaos, confusion - but may also mean brothel)
*das "Quartier" (Stadtviertel=the neighborhood)
*"schmecken" (riechen=to smell)
*der "Sack" (Tüte, Tasche=bag)
*"senkrecht" (aufrichtig, brav, patriotisch=spotless, patriotic)
*"sprechen" (Gelder, Kredite bewilligen=allow e.g. credits)
*die "Stange" (Glas Bier von 3 dl=glass of beer containing 3 dezilitres)
*"stimmen" (seine Stimme abgeben=to vote)
*"stossen" (drücken (an Türen), schieben (Fahrrad)=pushing e.g. doors open, pushing a bicycle)
*die "Streifung" (leichter Schlaganfall=light apoplexia)
*der "Trainer" (Trainingsanzug=a sweat suit)
*"tönen" (klingen=sounding)
*der "Umschwung" (Hofstatt um das Haus herum=land around the and belonging to the house)
*"verdanken" (in formeller Weise für etwas danken=writing a letter to thank someone)
*der "Verwaltungsrat" (Aufsichtsrat, only in private industry=governing body)
*der "Vortritt" (Vorfahrt=right of way)
*"wischen" (kehren, f

Antiquated in Other Language Areas (or Parts of Them)

*der "Advokat" (Rechtsanwalt=advocate)
*"amten" (ein Amt ausüben=administering an office)
*"ennet" (jenseits=on the other side)
*"innert" (binnen/innerhalb=within)
*der "Knabe" (Junge=boy)
*"minim" (geringfügig, minimal=minimal)
*"obschon" (obwohl=although, despite)
*"rekognoszieren", not only used in combination with military or medicine (erkunden=explore)

Figures of Speech

*"mit abgesägten Hosen dastehen" (den kürzeren gezogen haben=being in an unlucky and hopeless situation)
*"aus Abschied und Traktanden (fallen)" (ausser Betracht fallen=when a thing doesn't matter anymore)
*"es macht den Anschein" (es hat den Anschein=it seems)
*"in den Ausgang gehen" (ausgehen=to date)
*"von Auge" (mit blossem Auge=by naked eye)
*"ausjassen" (aushandeln=bargaining something)
*"von Beginn weg" (von Beginn an=from the beginnings)
*"ab Blatt (spielen)" (vom Blatt spielen, ohne Übung=not playing by heart, not having practised)
*"Bach ab schicken" (etw. verwerfen=refusing something, e.g. a project)
*"Einsitz nehmen" (Mitglied in einem Gremium werden=becoming a member of a gremium)
*"dastehen wie der Esel am Berg" (dastehen wie der Ochse vorm Berg=getting stuck and perplexed by an unexpected situation)
*"die Faust im Sack machen" (die Faust in der Tasche ballen=holding back/hiding aggression)
*"innert nützlicher Frist" (angemessen schnell=in a quick way)
*"das Fuder überladen" (des Guten zuviel tun=doing too much)
*"handkehrum" (andererseits=on the other hand)
*"Hans was Heiri" (Jacke wie Hose=when two things result in the same or are the same)
*"es hat" (es gibt=there are)
*"sein Heu nicht auf derselben Bühne haben mit" (nicht dieselben Ansichten haben wie=don't like someone, having other interests)
*"jemandem geht der Knopf auf" (jemandem geht ein Licht auf=suddenly getting an idea to solve a problem)
*"den Rank finden" (eine Lösung finden=finding a solution)
*"zu reden geben" (für Gesprächsstoff sorgen=a thing being controversial, being much discussed)
*"kein Schleck" (kein Honigschlecken=no picnic)
*"neben den Schuhen stehen" (falsch liegen; sich nicht wohl fühlen in seiner Haut=don't feeling well in a situation)
*"es streng haben" (viel zu tun haben=having a lot of work)
*"in Tat und Wahrheit" (in Wirklichkeit=the truth is that...)
*"einen Tolggen im Reinheft haben" (einen (Schönheits-) Fehler haben=having one single flashy mistake)
*"gut tönen" (gut klingen, vielsprechend sein=sounding well/interesting)
*"keinen Wank tun/machen" (sich nicht rühren=being still, don't moving)
*"es wird sich weisen" (es wird sich zeigen=future will show it)
*"werweissen" (hin und her raten=thinking about sth., more like guessing)
*"Jetzt ist genug Heu unten" (Jetzt reicht es!=enough!)

wiss Specifics

In the areas kitchen, local culture and politics, there are numerous peculiarities, that are not well known outside of Switzerland and which are missing a German expression.
*Kitchen: "Älplermagronen" (Meal with cut potatoes, Hörnli (Pippete Rigate), cream and melte cheese, "Basler Läckerli", "Gnagi", "Kaffee fertig" (Coffee with Schnaps), "Quorn"
*Local Culture: "Hornussen" (a native throwing game, esp. in Kanton Bern), der/das "Nouss" ("Dish" used in Hornussen), "Jass" (a card game), "Schwingen" (a kind of ring fight), "Schwinget" (tournament for said ring fight)
*State: "Gemeindeversammlung" (Gathering of the voting community), "Halbkanton" (Half canton), "Initiative", "Landsgemeinde", "Ständerat", "Ständemehr", "Vernehmlassung"

Pronunciation

Because of their characteristic of helvetisms in pronunciation, speakers of Swiss Standard German will be instantly recognized by other German speakers in most cases.

In general, the pronunciation of Swiss Standard German is influenced by the respective Swiss German dialect of every speaker. The degree of that influence may vary according to the education.

Differing Pronunciation

In Switzerland, some words are stressed on other syllables than in the rest of the German-speaking area (Here marked with an accent):
*Family names that have a preposition are always accentuated on the preposition, even when those names are written with a space (blank character) between preposition and the rest of the name. E.g. in "Michael vón Grünigen"
*Acronyms like CD, WC, FDP etc. are not accentuated on the last, but on the first letter. (like this: CéDe, WéZe, 'éffdeepee)
*A lot of foreign words from different languages are accentuated on the first syllable, e.g. "Ásphalt", "Ápostroph", "Bíllet", "Búdget", "Fílet", "Gárage", "Lábor", "Pápagei", "Pénalty", "Pórtemonnaie".

Consonants

*/b d g z/ are voiceless lenes IPA| [b̥ d̥ ɡ̊ z̥]
*There is no final obstruent devoicing.
*/v/ is pronounced as an approximant IPA| [ʋ] ; in some words, it is replaced by a voiceless lenis IPA| [v̥] , z. B. in "Möve" oder "Advent".
*Double consonants are often geminated, e.g. "immer" as IPA| [ˈɪmːər] .
*Initial is pronounced as a [x] , for instance in local names like Chur and Cham or in foreign words like "China" or "Chemie", "Chirurgie" usw.
*The ending <-ig> is pronounced as IPA| [-ɪɡ̊] , not IPA| [-ɪç] , e.g. "König" IPA| [køːnɪɡ̊] 'king'
* is pronounced [xs] or [çs] , not [ks] , e.g. "Dachs" as [daxs] or "sechs" as IPA| [z̥ɛçs] 'six'.
*The is not vocalized. In Switzerland, "Vater" 'father' is pronounced IPA| [ˈfaːtər] and not IPA| [ˈfaːtɐ] .
*In Switzerland (except the eastern part and Basel-Stadt) the alveolar [r] is more usual than the uvular IPA| [ʀ] .
*There is often no glottal stop.
*Sometimes, /x/ is always pronounced as [x] , and not differentiated into [x] and [ç] , e.g. in "nicht" IPA| [nɪxt] instead of IPA| [nɪçt] 'not'.
*Sometimes, /k/ is pronounced as velar affricate IPA| [k͡x] , e.g. "Kunst" IPA| [k͡xʊnst] .
*Seldom /st sp/ are pronounced as IPA| [ʃt ʃp] instead of [st sp] in all positions, not only at the beginning of a word stem, e.g. "Ast" as IPA| [aʃt] 'branch'.

Vowels

*Unstressed /ɛ/ is often not pronounced as schwa, but as [e] or IPA| [ɛ] , e.g. "Gedanke" IPA| [ɡ̊ɛˈd̥aŋkɛ] or IPA| [ɡ̊eˈd̥aŋke] 'thought'.
*Depending on the dialect, /a/ may be pronounced as a back IPA| [ɑ] ).
*Depending on the dialect, short vowels may be pronounced more closed, e.g. "Bett" IPA| [b̥et] instead of IPA| [b̥ɛt] 'bed', "offen" IPA| [ˈofən] instead of IPA| [ˈɔfən] 'open', "Hölle" IPA| [hølːe] instead of IPA| [ˈhœlːe] 'hell'.
*Depending on the dialect, long vowels may be pronounced more open, e.g. "See" IPA| [z̥ɛː] instead of IPA| [ˈz̥eː] 'lake', "schon" IPA| [ʃɔːn] instead of IPA| [ʃoːn] 'already', "schön" IPA| [ʃœːn] instead of IPA| [ʃøːn] 'beautiful'.

Prosody

A special feature of the Swiss standard German, is a somewhat "singing" cadence. That means: Each word's accentuated syllable isn't only marked through the higher voice volume, but even through a hearable modification of the voice's sound. In general, the pitch of the accentuated syllable sinks.

*On the word "Merci" ("thanks!"), the first syllable is spoken louder and deeper than the second.
*On the calling "Profitieren Sie!" (Benefit!) in the shopping malls' transmissions, the pitch sinks from "pro-" to "-fi-", until it has reached the deepest point at "-tie-"; at "-ren" and "Sie" the voice approx. reaches its original pitch again.

Orthography

In orthography, the most visible difference from Standard German usage outside Switzerland is the absence of ß (officially abolished in the Canton of Zürich in 1935, the sign fell gradually out use; it was dropped by the NZZ in 1974).

French and Italian Loanwords are written in their original forms - despite the reformation of German language's spelling rules. Majonäse stays Mayonnaise, and Spagetti stays Spaghetti. The newspaper NZZ has even chosen the word "placieren", to not have to write "platzieren".

Geographic names, like streets, are mostly written together: "Baslerstrasse", "Genfersee", "Zugerberg" usw., but also "Schweizergrenze", "Schweizervolk" (very often)

Umlauts at Swiss proper names's beginning are written as , and : "Aebi", "Oerlikon", "Uetliberg" (= Üetliberg, not Ütliberg!).

Finally, there are specialities like e.g.
*"Bretzel" instead of "Brezel"

Some of the above mentionned specialities are due to the general introduction of the typewriter in economy and administration. Because a Swiss typewriter must be able not to write only German texts, but also French and Italian texts, the limited number of characters wasn't enough for all those languages' special characters. So, the "Eszett" and the high-case Umlauts (Ä, Ö and Ü), but also the high-case accentuated vocals (e.g. À or É) were skipped.

yntax

The Swiss German differs from Standard German in e.g. the gender ("das E-Mail", "das Tram" und "das SMS" statt "die") or in verbs' valence -the preposition they require- ("jemanden anfragen instead of "bei jmdm. anfragen").

In general, more often than in Germany or Austria, the Swiss use female descriptions of professions instead of using a generic masculine (e.g. "Bundesrätin Ruth Metzler", "Frieda U. wurde zur Primarschullehrerin gewählt"). The "Binnen-I" isn't only used by the "politically correct" people.

Relative pronouns: The relative pronoun "welche(r)", that is clumsy and antiquated in Standard German is used without hesitation, e.g. in "Damit wurde in der Schweiz ein Kompetenzzentrum für Klimafragen geschaffen, welches verstärkt die Bedürfnisse der Bevölkerung in den Mittelpunkt ihrer Forschung stellt." (from [http://old.cc.ethz.ch/publikationen/jb2001/d/notabene/index.htm Jahresbericht 2001] , Annual report of the ETH Zürich).

Differing Cases

Rabatt is used in Dative; in Standard German in Accusative. Example: "20% Rabatt auf allen Artikeln"

Sentence structure

The syntax has a lot of construction with shorted main clause and following subordinate clause, that only is marked through the beginning position of a verb, e.g.
*"Gut, gibt es Schweizer Bauern." statt "Es ist gut, dass es Schweizer Bauern gibt."
*"Schön, haben Sie heute Zeit." statt "(Es ist) schön, dass Sie heute Zeit haben."
*"Schade, bist du gestern nicht hier gewesen." statt "(Es ist) schade, dass du gestern nicht hier gewesen bist."

Swiss Expressions That Were Imported Into Standard German

Of course, they mostly describe Swiss speciality in fauna, flora, kitchen and politics, that became known right together with the till now unknown thing.
*Nature:
**"Gletscher" (in Western Alpen; in East Alps, they say "Ferner" or "Kees"=glacier)
**"Gülle" (=liquid manure)
**"Lärche" (=larch)
**"Lawine" (=avalanche)
**"Murmeltier"(=marmott)
**"Senn"(=Swiss alps farmer)
*Politics:
**"Putsch" (=the putsch)
**"Reichsdeutsche" (=Germans of the Reich;this term was coined 1871 by the Swiss-German-speaking people)
**"Überfremdung" (=over-alienation of the country)
*conventions and customs:
**"Heimweh" (=homesickness; first described on Swiss soldiers that missed the alps)
**"Vignette" (=Sticker, that you having to buy before using Swiss freeways)
*kitchen:
**"Müsli" (=Müsli)
**"Cordon bleu" (=cordon bleu)
**"Fondue" (=fondue - a melted cheese dish)
**"Raclette" (=raclette - a melted cheese dish)
**"Bündnerfleisch" (=cold meat from the canton of Graubünden)
*other:
**"unentwegt" (=steadfast)

Look Also

*Swiss German
*Standard German
*Swiss Standard German

External links

*Helvetismen in the German "Universalwörterbuch": [http://www.duden.de/index2.html?deutsche_sprache/zumthema/universalwoerterbuch.html "Der schweizerische Wortschatz des Deutschen" von Maria Grazia Chiaro] .
*Dictionary project about Helvetisms and other variants of German language: [http://www.sprachwissenschaft.ch/prolex/ "Wörterbuch der nationalen und regionalen Varianten der deutschen Standardsprache"]
*HDS|24574|Helvetismus|author=François de Capitani
*Blog about it: [http://www.blogwiese.ch blogwiese.ch]