We did this because Alsatian has many different dialects and the linguists we were working with were keen for us to represent the breadth of their language. So, as a big supporter of minority languages, we did our best to oblige!
But, first things first, let’s start off by learning a little more about the Alsatian language. Spoken by an estimated 600,000 people, Alsatian is a Germanic language closely related to German.
Of course, there are many variations of the language, also known as alsacien or Alsatian German Dialect, but generally these are considered to be mutually intelligible.
You’ll notice that the main differences between the two Alsatian variances we recorded are in their pronunciation, which you can hear by cycling between the speakers.
Sometimes the vocabulary is different too, but our native speakers—Virginie Fichter and Julien Riehl, who work together at the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace (CeA)–worked hard to keep these to a minimum.
To make things even easier for you, we’ve also put together a list (below) of all the differences in written vocab that you might notice as you learn Alsatian with the uTalk app. The words are organised by topic, so you can easily check what you need to know ahead of time.
(Note: you may notice some duplicates, but that’s because some words and phrases appear in more than one topic!)
Different Alsatian words
First Words
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
Goodbye!
Orwár!
Adjee!
How much does this cost?
Wievil kost diss?
Wievil kostet das?
I don’t understand.
Ich versteh nit.
Ich verstand nit.
Directions
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
down
nunter
awe
up
nuff
ufe
Travelling
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
How much does it cost to get to the airport?
Wieviel kost s fir uf der Flughafe?
Wie tir isch d Fahrt bis uf der Flughafe?
Where is the nearest petrol station?
Wo isch d nedst Tankstell?
Wo isch d nächst Tankstell?
Food and Drink
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
sweets
d Gützle
d Bumbum
chips
d Frittle
d Frites
cream
der Ráhm
der Rüm
Restaurant
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
A bit less, please.
E bissel wennger, wænn’s beliebt.
E bitzi weniger, wænn’s beliebt.
Could I have some more?
Derf ich e bissel meh han?
Derf ich e bitzi meh han?
What’s this?
Was isch diss?
Was isch das?
Essential Phrases
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
Push
dricke
Drucke
Cheers!
S giltt!
Gsundheit!
Where is the nearest cash machine?
Wo isch der nedst Gäldautomat?
Wo isch der nächst Gäldautomat?
I’m thirsty.
Ich hab Durst.
Ich han Durst.
I’m hungry.
Ich hab Hunger.
Ich han Hunger.
I’m cold.
Ich hab Kalt.
Ich han Kalt.
I’m hot.
Ich hab Warm.
Ich han Warm.
Adjectives
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
hard
hart
hert
near
nåd
nåch
dry
trucket
Trucke
open
offe
uff
Home
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
matches
d Schwäwelhelzle
d Kritzer
blanket
d Deck
d Küwert
fireplace
der Kamin
s Kemmi
Bathroom
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
matches
d Schwäwelhelzle
d Kritzer
blanket
d Deck
d Küwert
fireplace
der Kamin
s Kemmi
Kitchen
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
kitchen
d Kíche
d Kuche
cork
der Zapfe
der Büschung
jug
s Kriegel
der Krüeg
oven
der Offe
der Ofe
sponge
der Schwamm
der Schwumm
corkscrew
der Zapfezieger
der Büschungzieger
Cooking
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
boiled eggs
harti Eier
herte Eier
fried eggs
s Ochsegüggel
s Ochseäuge
Fruit
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
apple
der Apfel
der Epfel
Vegetables
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
potatoes
d Grumbere
d Härdepfle
beetroot
d Rotrahn
d Rahne
sweet potatoes
d Siessgrumbere
d Siesshärdepfle
asparagus
d Sparichel
d Spargle
sweetcorn
s Wälschkorn
der Mais
carrot
d gälle Rüeb
s Gälriewle
Ingredients
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
chicken
s Hähnel
s Hienle
Shopping Words
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
Open
offe
uff
Shopping Phrases
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
Could I listen to this?
Kennt ich diss horche?
Kennt ich das lose?
How much does this cost?
Wievil kost diss?
Wievil kostet das?
Clothes
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
jacket
der Frack
d Jacke
flip-flops
d Klepperle
d Klakettle
sandals
d Paterschlappe
d Sandale
boots
d Stiffel
d Stiefel
umbrella
der (Räge)schirm
der Parepli
Leisure
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
fairground
der Mässtiplatz
der Kilweplatz
zoo
der Zoo
der Tiergarte
pencil
s Blüwíssel
der Blejstift
ball
der Balle
d Balle
Places
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
market
der Märk
der Märkt
supermarket
der Supermärk
der Supermärkt
cinema
der Kines
s Kino
shop
s Gschäft
der Lade
Social Phrases
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
On Saturday I’m going to the theatre.
Am Samstağ geh-w-i ins Theater.
Am Samstig gang ich is Theater.
On Saturday night I’m going out with some friends.
Am Samschtağ Åwe geh-w-i mit e paar Frìend üs.
Am Samstigåwe gang i mit e paar Frind üs.
On Sunday I’m going to sleep in.
Am Sunntağ schlåf ich üs.
Am Sunntig schlåf ich üs.
On Sunday I’m having lunch with my family.
Am Sunntağ wurd mit minere Familie z Mittagässe.
Am Sunntig wird mit minere Familie z Mittagässe.
See you later!
Bis båll!
Bis speter!
What kind of music do you like?
Was fir Müsik düesch dü horche ?
Was fir Müsik tüesch dü gärn lose?
I love you
Ich habe dich lieb.
Ich han dich lieb.
Accommodation
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
dirty
dräcket
dräckig
I’m leaving tomorrow at 8 a.m.
Ich geh morje am Achte ab.
Ich gang morne am Achte ab.
Holiday
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
stamp
s Briefkepfle
der Timbre
Driving
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
petrol gauge
d Benzinühr
der Benzinmässer
Outdoors
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
It’s hailing.
’s schlost.
’s hagelt.
It’s cloudy.
’s isch bedeckt.
’s isch wulkig.
desert
d Wüst
d Ode
weather forecast
der Wätterbericht
der Wättervorsah
Illness
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
I’ve been stung by a wasp.
Ich bin vu’me Wäspel gstoche worre.
Ich bin vun ere Wäspe gstoche worre.
I’ve been sick.
Ich hab müen bräche.
Ich han müesse bräche.
I’m cold.
Ich hab Kalt.
Ich han Kalt.
I’m hot.
Ich hab Warm.
Ich han Warm.
Body
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
eyes
d Aue
d Äuge
toes
d Zeh
d Zehge
moustache
der Schnützer
der Schnäuzer
Doctor
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
ointment
d Salb
d Selwe
Emergencies
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
Call the police!
Rüefe d Polizej!
Riefe d Polizej!
Call the fire brigade!
Rüefe d Pumpjé!
Riefe d Pumpjé!
Call an ambulance!
Rüefe e Krankewage!
Riefe e Krankewage!
I’ve run out of petrol
Ich hab ken Benzin meh.
Ich han ken Benzin meh.
I have a puncture.
Ich hab Platt gfange.
Ich han Platt gfange.
Time
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
quarter past four
e Viertel nåch viere
e Viertel ab viere
quarter past ten
e Viertel nåch zehne
e Viertel ab zehne
quarter past three
e Viertel nåch dreje
e Viertel ab dreje
quarter past seven
e Viertel nåch sewene
e Viertel ab sewene
quarter past nine
e Viertel nåch nine
e Viertel ab nine
quarter past eleven
e Viertel nåch elfe
e Viertel ab elfe
ten past three
zehn nåch dreie
zehn ab dreje
ten past six
zehn nåch sechse
zehn ab seches
ten past five
zehn nåch finfe
zehn ab finfe
twenty past eight
zwanzig nåch achte
zwanzig ab achte
twenty past eleven
zwanzig nåch elfe
zwanzig ab elfe
five past ten
finf nåch zehne
finf ab zehne
five past three
finf nåch dreje
finf ab dreje
Calendar
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
Thursday
Dunnerstağ
Dunnstig
February
Hornung
Fewriee
Friday
Fritağ
Fríttig
yesterday
gest
gestert
day after tomorrow
iwwermorge
iwwermorn
Monday
Montağ
Mäntig
tomorrow
morge
morn
Saturday
Samstağ
Samstig
Sunday
Sunntağ
Sunntig
day before yesterday
vorgest
vorgestert
Tuesday
Dinstağ
Zistig
School
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
ringbinder
s Ringbüech
der Ordner
pencil case
s Mäpple
s Bindle
Business
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
pencil
s Blüwíssel, s Blejwíss
der Blejstift
Technology
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
Wi-Fi
der Wi-Fi
s Wi-Fi
Tools
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
phillips head
d Krítzschrüb
d Krítzstrüb
slotted head
d Schlitzschrüb
d Schlitzstrüb
screws
d Schrüwe
d Strüwe
wheelbarrow
der Schalkarch
der Stoskarre
screwdriver
der Schrüwezejer
der Strüwezieger
Farming
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
ass
der Essel
der Esel
owl
d Nachtill
der Nachtkütz
seeds
der Sååt
der Säje
butterfly
der Schmätterling
der Summervogel
vine
der Räbstock
der Winstock
worm
der Wurm
der Wirm
foal
s Wütschel
s Fillele
Animals
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
lizard
d Eidechs
s Eegläsle
sheep
s Hämmle
s Schåf
Animals’ Bodies
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
fur
s Fäll
der Pelz
Camping
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
roof rack
der Dachträger
der Dachtrager
Is there mobile phone reception anywhere?
Gitt’s ierigs Händyempfang?
Gitt’s enaime Händyempfang?
Sports
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
football
d/der Balle
d balle
Golf
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
golf trolley
der Golfkarch
d Golfkarre
cap
d Dächelskapp
der Tschäpper
Sailing
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
leak
rinne
üsläufe
Football Match Abroad
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
Send him off!
Wärfe ne nüss!
Wärfe ne üsse!
How do I get to the stadium?
Wie geh i uf s Stadium?
Wie gang i uf s Stadium?
Summer Olympics
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
shot put
der Köjelstos
der Kugelstos
water polo
der Wasserballe
d Wasserballe
Winter Olympics
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
hockey stick
der Hockeyschläger
d Crosse
puck
d Schib
d Schiwe
Olympics
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
shot
d Köjel
d Kugel
basketball
der Basketball
d Basketballe
balance beam
der Balke
d Balke
Natural Disasters
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
This food is safe.
Diss Ässe isch sicher.
Das Ässe isch sicher.
This water is safe.
Diss Wasser isch sicher.
Das Wasser isch sicher.
Leave your belongings.
Lonn ejri Sache.
Lehn ejre Sache.
Disaster Relief – Volunteers
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
We will come back tomorrow.
Mir kumme morge widder.
Mir kumme morne widder.
Please be quiet.
Rüejig bliwe, wænn’s beliebt.
Riewig bliwe, wænn’s beliebt.
Military Commands
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
Lower your hands.
d Händ nunter
d Händ awe
Calm down.
Rüehig bliwe!
Riewig bliwe!
Military Intelligence
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
You will not be harmed.
Es wurd ejch nichs passiere.
Es wird ejch nichs passiere.
I don’t understand.
Ich versteh nit.
Ich verstand nit.
Military Peace Keeping
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
I have lost my family.
Ich hab mine Familie verlore.
Ich han mine Familie verlore.
I’m hungry.
Ich hab Hunger.
Ich han Hunger.
I’m thirsty.
Ich hab Durst.
Ich han Durst.
Culture-Specific Vocabulary
English
Bas-Rhin (Northern)
Haut-Rhin (Southern)
pretzel
d Brättställ
d Brätzel
cervelan
der Cervilan
der Cervelas
cottage cheese
der Bibeleskäs
der Bibelekäs
Alsatian meatballs
s Fleischkiechle
s Fleischküechle
Alsatian brioche
dr Kögelhopf
dr Kugelhupf
rhubarb tart
der Rhababerküeche
der Rhüwarwawäje
How are these differences shown on the uTalk app?
When you go to the Phrase Practice section of any of these topics on the uTalk app, you’ll see the differences very easily under the image of the word or phrase you’re learning. The Bas-Rhin variant is on the top line, and the Haut-Rhin variant is beneath it, above the word in the language you’re learning from.
The only other places you see text in the language you’re learning are the Easy Game and the Recall Game.
In the Easy Game, you only hear one of the voices reading the Alsatian words for each round. However, when it comes to the word you need to select, you’ll see both variants written at the bottom of the screen.
In the Recall Game, you see the words in the language you’re learning first. When you check your pronunciation against our speakers’, you’ll see both variants written down, and can press the play button on the right to cycle through the recordings.
Otherwise, learning Alsatian should be just as straightforward as learning any other language on the uTalk app! Take a look at the words and phrases, play the games, and you’ll be speaking like a local in no time.
We hope you enjoy learning our latest language and support the inclusion of the two different dialects of Alsatian on our app.
Not tried them yet? Get started today by downloading the app and begin with the Free Starter Words to see how it works.
