Do you know the most commonly used expressions and words in French-speaking Switzerland?

At b-sharpe, the phrases we use most often are:
Here are some other terms and expressions you’re likely to hear in French-speaking Switzerland.

Do your Swiss colleagues or friends sometimes use expressions or words that you don’t understand? We’ve put together a list of the most commonly used expressions in Geneva and French-speaking Switzerland to help you get to grips with this local dialect!

Jean-Marc Sabet

At b-sharpe, the phrases we use most often are:
Here are some other terms and expressions you’re likely to hear in French-speaking Switzerland.

As you may know, there are four national languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian and Romansh. In French-speaking Switzerland, French is the language used. In the cantons of Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel and Vaud, as well as in Fribourg, Valais and Bern, the Swiss speak French. However, French in Switzerland sometimes seems different from the French spoken in France. Old expressions and words are still used in Switzerland. The best-known examples are ‘septante’ and ‘nonante’.

At b-sharpe, the phrases we use most often are:


Service	Thank you, it’s only right
All the best	All the best / Best of luck
It’s on	It works / It’s fine
There’s no rush	There’s no rush
How’s the chalet?	Are you out of your mind?
I am delighted	I can’t wait, I’m really looking forward to it

Here are some other terms and expressions you’re likely to hear in French-speaking Switzerland.


The mobile phone	The mobile phone
Cover	Cardigan
A cover	A pouch for storing documents or mobile phone cases
A cone/a bag	A plastic bag/paper bag
Health	Used when someone sneezes; equivalent to “bless you”
Just do it	Please
The rag	The mop
A bobet	A fool, a simpleton
The Föhn	A hairdryer / the name of a hot wind that blows from the south
Farewell	Hello / Goodbye
Bizingue	Across, in a zigzag
Have a smoke	Have a quick nap
A can	A pint
Pive	Pine cone
Yoghurt	Yoghurt
Action	Special offer
To park	Parking
To get a taste	To kiss each other on the cheek
Putting the church back at the heart of the village	Putting things back in order
To be on the ball	To hesitate
Get into the swing of things	Get to safety
Out of the blue	Expresses surprise using “for God’s sake”
A bucket	A drink
The cheni	The mess
A cloth	A towel
One share	A promotion, a discount
A duvet	A duvet
Curd	Cottage cheese
Iced tea	Iced tea
Cash machine	Cash machine
Voting	Vote
Kitchen roll	Sopalin
Receipt	Receipt, ticket
It’s pleasantly warm / It’s pleasantly cold	It’s pleasantly warm / cold

Here are some useful resources to help you learn more about the Swiss dialect:

The list we’ve provided in this article is, of course, by no means exhaustive. If you can think of any other expressions, please do share them with us in the comments – we’d be happy to add them!