Learn Swiss German (Bernese)

Learn Swiss German with an app that gets you speaking in minutes. Start now to build confidence with practical lessons on essential phrases you can use in daily life, whether you're moving to Switzerland, connecting with locals or exploring Swiss culture.

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"Ready to order a coffee in Zürich, chat at a market in Bern or feel comfortable speaking Swiss German dialects in everyday situations?"

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Speak Swiss German with confidence

Many people want to learn Swiss German to connect with locals and understand Switzerland better. But it can be difficult to find practical resources that focus on speaking Swiss German.

uTalk is the solution. We'll help you avoid:

  • Feeling lost when Standard German lessons don't match what you hear in the Swiss German area
  • Wasting time on grammar exercises when you just want to start speaking the language
  • Missing out on meaningful conversations because you can't understand the local dialect

Learn Swiss German online, and unlock real connections in Switzerland.

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Three Steps to learn Swiss German

No classes to schedule. No jargon. Just a clear path.

1

Start in minutes

Subscribe now, download the app or open the web app, choose German (Swiss) and select your first category.

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2

Practise real phrases

Learn through short lessons that use native speaker audio and memory-boosting games. Reviews focus on words you get wrong, allowing you to learn faster.

3

Speak like a local

Try your new Swiss German in real life. Both beginners and more experienced learners can build basic and practical spoken language skills and start enjoying meaningful experiences.

What our learners say about us

  • "It’s perfect to use, easy, for all ages, mix interesting sections, great layout and come with professional helpful customer service!!!! I am so happy with this app! This app is the best."

    Baruch.HaShem

  • "If you can't decide which language you want to learn, this app is great because you can dip in and try lots of different ones. And I love that it works on my computer, phone and iPad!"

    Lillibet82

  • "It’s amazing to have so many languages to choose from. The games are simple and fun. I love that Starter Words is free in every language, so you can try as many as you like!"

    Matt Garland

  • "Great app for learning different languages, it's great that you can learn from repeating common words and phrases spoken by natives. Great idea and fantastic for traveling"

    Jocc1233

  • "It is a good app and very rewarding. My little girl has learnt alot from it! I have already paid for a few coins already, because I felt like paying for a good app!"

    david bemrose

  • "the site is awesome! I love it. And Daniel in customer service was excellent. He addressed my problem immediately and to my satisfaction. I highly recommend uTalk!"

    Debra DeGrasse

  • "Tried several languages (got package deal of 6). Fun playing those games with children, good for both language and memory. I do not regret this purchase"

    Alex Shatzir

  • "I have been trying to find an app that has all the languages. I thought I would never find one, but I did and it has so many good learning techniques."

    Samulana4

  • "I am currently doing arabic and i love it. I have tried a few things in other languages too gujrati punjabi tamil french. A very useful tool."

    Adi24tya

  • "I love learning languages and this app is a great tool tool for getting better at the ones I know. I will enjoy using this for a long time!"

    Kizzij

Why uTalk is the best Swiss German learning app

App-based, online and ready when you are, uTalk helps you learn how to speak and recognise key words and phrases, such as the Swiss German for thank you.

Speech bubble icon

Speak first

Focus on practical content, such as greetings, shopping, travel and everyday spoken Swiss German basics.

Learning German (Swiss) icon

Authentic native speakers

Learn from locals, not computer-generated voices. Hear the pronunciation that's really used throughout Switzerland.

Language game chest

Beginner friendly, fun and effective

Game-like practice builds confidence. Lessons are short, focused and based on real life situations.

Speak Swiss German today – Common phrases and audio

uTalk helps you learn how to speak and recognise key words and phrases. It's app-based, online and ready when you are.

    Phrase Image - I’d like a coffee, please. Speaker Icon
    I hätti gärn es Kaffi.

    I’d like a coffee, please.

    Phrase Image - Hello. Speaker Icon
    Grüessech.

    Hello.

    Phrase Image - Yes. Speaker Icon
    Ja.

    Yes.

    Phrase Image - Yes please. Speaker Icon
    Ja gärn.

    Yes please.

    Phrase Image - No. Speaker Icon
    Nei.

    No.

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    Phrase Image - No thanks. Speaker Icon
    Nei merci.

    No thanks.

    Phrase Image - Please. Speaker Icon
    Bitte.

    Please.

    Phrase Image - Thank you. Speaker Icon
    Merci.

    Thank you.

    Phrase Image - Thank you very much. Speaker Icon
    Merci viu Mau.

    Thank you very much.

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    Phrase Image - You’re welcome. Speaker Icon
    Gärn gscheh.

    You’re welcome.

    Phrase Image - Two beers, please. Speaker Icon
    Zwöi Bier bitte.

    Two beers, please.

    Phrase Image - bus Speaker Icon
    dr Böss

    bus

    Phrase Image - car Speaker Icon
    ds Outo

    car

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    Phrase Image - taxi Speaker Icon
    ds Taxi

    taxi

    Phrase Image - train Speaker Icon
    dr Zug

    train

    Phrase Image - railway station Speaker Icon
    dr Bahnhof

    railway station

    Phrase Image - airport Speaker Icon
    de Flughafe

    airport

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    Phrase Image - hotel Speaker Icon
    ds Hotel

    hotel

    Phrase Image - passport Speaker Icon
    de Pass

    passport

    Phrase Image - telephone Speaker Icon
    ds Telefon

    telephone

    Phrase Image - Excuse me. Speaker Icon
    Exgüsee.

    Excuse me.

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    Phrase Image - What time is it? Speaker Icon
    Was isch für Ziit?

    What time is it?

    Phrase Image - Can you repeat that please? Speaker Icon
    Chöiter das bitte wyderhole?

    Can you repeat that please?

    Phrase Image - Please speak more slowly. Speaker Icon
    Red chli langsamber, bitte.

    Please speak more slowly.

    Phrase Image - I don’t understand. Speaker Icon
    Das verschtaani nid.

    I don’t understand.

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    Phrase Image - Sorry. Speaker Icon
    Sorry.

    Sorry.

    Phrase Image - Where are the toilets? Speaker Icon
    Wo isch d´Tualette?

    Where are the toilets?

    Phrase Image - Ladies’ Toilet Speaker Icon
    Damen

    Ladies’ Toilet

    Phrase Image - Gents’ Toilet Speaker Icon
    Herren

    Gents’ Toilet

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    Phrase Image - Where is the beach? Speaker Icon
    Wo isch de Strand?

    Where is the beach?

    Phrase Image - Where is the bank? Speaker Icon
    Wo isch d'Bank?

    Where is the bank?

    Phrase Image - How much does this cost? Speaker Icon
    Was choschtet das?

    How much does this cost?

    Phrase Image - credit card Speaker Icon
    d'Kreditcharte

    credit card

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    Phrase Image - cash machine Speaker Icon
    dr Bankomat

    cash machine

    Phrase Image - Goodbye. Speaker Icon
    Tschüss!

    Goodbye.

    Phrase Image - paracetamol Speaker Icon
    ds Paracetamol

    paracetamol

    Phrase Image - keys Speaker Icon
    d'Schlüssle

    keys

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    Phrase Image - map Speaker Icon
    d'Charte

    map

    Phrase Image - left Speaker Icon
    links

    left

    Phrase Image - right Speaker Icon
    rächts

    right

    Phrase Image - one Speaker Icon
    eis

    one

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    Phrase Image - two Speaker Icon
    zwöi

    two

    Phrase Image - three Speaker Icon
    drüü

    three

Where is German (Swiss) spoken icon

Where is it spoken?

Switzerland

Speaking German (Swiss) icon

Number of speakers

5,000,000

German (Swiss) language family icon

Language family

Indo-European

Germanic

West Germanic

Fun facts | German (Swiss)

  • There are many borrowings from French, including 'merci' for 'thank you'.
  • One of the most notoriously difficult words for foreigners is Chuchichäschtli - 'kitchen cupboard' - which has three of the hard 'ch' sounds.
  • If you hear Swiss Germans refer to a place called 'Ausland', it means anywhere that isn't Switzerland.
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How our Swiss German lessons work

Learning Swiss German should be a simple process. Begin with basic Swiss German phrases, such as greetings and high-frequency words. Then continue to practical categories such as food, numbers and essential phrases. Lessons are short, fun and designed for beginners. You'll practise with native speaker audio files and be tested on what you've learned to create stronger memories. Review sessions adapt to your progress by testing you more often on the words you get wrong.

Pick a category, and the app orders the content so you get some quick wins. Choose English or another language to learn Swiss German from. You can learn online or offline, and use uTalk on a mobile or desktop. Change categories at any time, and follow whichever path suits your goals. If you have questions, check the in-app help or contact support. We're a friendly UK-based team, and we're here to help.

German (Swiss) vs. Standard German vs. High German

Here’s an overview of the different kinds of ‘German’ you should know about.

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Key points

  • Swiss German refers to the group of Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland. The variant recorded for the uTalk app is Bernese German, spoken in the canton of Bern but readily understood across the Swiss German-speaking region. It's quite different from Standard German (also called High German), which is used in formal writing and news broadcasts across German-speaking countries.
  • Traditional German courses usually teach Standard German, which is useful for reading, writing and dealing with formal situations. But in daily life across Switzerland, locals speak Swiss German dialects that can sound very different.
  • uTalk teaches Swiss German vocabulary and pronunciation so you can understand and join conversations in the real world. If you're also learning Standard German, the app can help you build practical spoken skills that complement what you already know.

Learning German in Switzerland and neighbouring countries

Learn German (Swiss) app being used on two phones in the hands of two women
  • Switzerland sits in the heart of Europe, surrounded by different languages and cultures. Swiss German is spoken across much of the country, from Zürich to Bern and beyond.
  • France borders Switzerland to the west, and French is another official language of Switzerland. If you’re interested in Swiss German, you might also enjoy Alsatian, a minority regional language in France closely related to Swiss German. Luxembourgish shares some similarities with Swiss German dialects and is spoken in nearby Luxembourg.
  • As uTalk supports 150+ languages, you can compare options and even learn more than one of them if you like. Whether you're focusing on speaking Swiss German or exploring the wider world of European languages, we're here to help.

If you're ready to learn a new language today, why not choose to start speaking Swiss German?

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"We help make learning Swiss German easy"

"It's frustrating when you want to learn Swiss German but most resources only teach Standard German. At uTalk, we understand that language is an important part of Switzerland's culture and identity, and that's why we recorded Swiss German. We also recorded native Swiss German speakers to help you learn the language as it's really spoken, not just how it appears in textbooks or in a dictionary."

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Richard Howeson, founder of uTalk language learning company image

Richard Howeson

uTalk Founder

Why learners trust uTalk

We go out of our way to support regional languages and dialects, getting native speakers to record our content. The app works for both English speakers and for speakers of more than 140 other languages. Check our reviews to see how learners turn practice into progress and join a global community of language learners.

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Your language learning journey in Swiss German

You'd like to connect with locals, understand Swiss culture or communicate for work or travel in Switzerland. But while Swiss German is spoken in daily life across the country, finding practical lessons that aren't in Standard German can be hard.

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uTalk can help. Choose a category to begin with, or start with First Words, such as grüssech. Then, build on that with useful words and phrases for real life situations. You'll listen to native speakers, record yourself copying them and compare the two. Games make learning fun for beginners, but the content is practical for everyone. You can learn online or offline, following a guided learning pathway or choosing for yourself what you want to learn and when.

With simple, step-by-step learning, you'll see real results. You'll be able to speak Swiss German with confidence and understand more of what people say. You'll use your skills to chat with friends, locals and new connections across Switzerland, all while learning in a way that fits your lifestyle.

See the difference

Before uTalk you were:

  • Confused by Swiss German dialects because Standard German courses didn't help
  • Unable to understand locals talking in shops, cafes or on the street
  • Relying on videos or YouTube clips with no way to practise real pronunciation
  • Missing out on feeling comfortable in everyday conversations
"I'll never be able to speak Swiss German properly"

With uTalk you will be:

  • Using everyday Swiss German phrases, from greetings to shopping terms
  • Perfecting your pronunciation with clear, native speaker audio
  • Building confidence and knowledge with daily wins that track your progress
  • Speaking Swiss German in real situations across Switzerland
“I can actually have conversations in Swiss German”

Learn real-life topics in Swiss German

First Words Transport Restaurant Food and Drink Cooking Places Directions Illness Doctor Body Emergencies Social Phrases Leisure Likes and Dislikes Football Match Abroad Football Commentary Sports Shopping Words Fruit Vegetables Clothes Ingredients Home Bathroom Kitchen Tools Family Occupations Animals Animals' Bodies Farming Technology School Business Numbers up to Twenty Numbers up to Ten Million Essential Phrases Adjectives Prepositions Colours Countries Calendar Time Timetable Outdoors Holiday Skiing Camping Golf Sailing Driving Olympics Summer Olympics Winter Olympics Military Commands Military Peace Keeping Military Intelligence Accommodation Shopping Phrases Travelling Free Starter Words Disaster Relief - Volunteers Natural Disasters

Explore the West Germanic language family

German (Swiss) belongs to the West Germanic language family, which includes some of the world's most widely spoken languages. If you're keen to compare words, sounds or everyday phrases across this language family, check out English, Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish, Luxembourgish, Scots and Alsatian.

Since these languages share historical roots, they often have similar vocabulary patterns, making cross-learning feel more familiar. It's an amazing way to dive deeper into how different languages connect.

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Your Swiss German questions answered

uTalk is an app and online language learning software. Lessons are digital, short and practical. If you want a tutor, the app still helps you prepare for class and review between sessions.

Yes. The course begins with basic greetings and everyday words and phrases and takes you to an A1-A2 level on the CEFR scale. Some of our topics even cover material you’d learn as you grow your skills to B1 or B2.

Yes. uTalk works for speakers of more than 140 languages. Choose the one that suits you in Settings.

Topics are based on real life situations. You can select any category and the app suggests a smart learning order for beginners. You can change it at any time.

YouTube can be useful, but it’s hard to check pronunciation or get structured reviews. uTalk gives you native speaker audio, games that test tricky words more often and a clear path from basic to practical use.

We’re available on iOS, Android, web, Mac and PC. Get started now and you’ll be directed to download uTalk for your device.

No. Swiss German refers to the dialects spoken across Switzerland, while Standard German is used for writing and formal situations. uTalk teaches Swiss German so you can speak and understand what Swiss locals say.

No, Swiss German is not available on Duolingo. But it is available on uTalk, which features 150+ languages, highlighting and preserving regional dialects and minority languages from all over the world.

Short, regular sessions work best. Many learners can handle simple conversations after a few weeks of steady practice. Your speed depends on how often you use the app, how much you review and how much additional information you explore on your own.

Listen to the native speaker audio in each lesson, and then record yourself speaking and compare the two. Repeat until you feel comfortable with the sound and pronunciation. The app's games and exercises help reinforce what you've learned so that speaking feels natural when you're ready to try it in the real world.

Getting started with uTalk is easy, and you can cancel whenever you want. We want you to love uTalk, so we even offer a 28-Day Money Back Guarantee if you're not satisfied.

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