How to say hello in Swiss German

What people say, and how it sounds.

The answer

to someone you do not knowGrüezi/ˈɡ̊ryə̯tsi/

to a friendHoi/ˈhoi̯/

to a friendSali/ˈz̥ɒli/

The short answer

Grüezi is the polite hello, for a shop, a neighbour or anyone you would address formally. Hoi and Sali are the friendly ones, for people you know.

Greeting someone by name is part of the habit: add it after the word.

GRÜ-et-si

The stress is on the first syllable, and the ü is the German one, made with rounded lips. The z sounds like the ts in cats.

Hear it in a sentence

Every line is one the course teaches, with its Swiss German audio.

Grüezi/ˈɡ̊ryə̯tsi/

hello (formal)

D Lüt säged Grüezi.

People say Grüezi.

Ich ha "Grüezi" gsait.

I said "Grüezi".

Grüezi wohl, Herr Meier!

Hello, Mr Meier!

Hoi/ˈhoi̯/

hi (informal)

De Peter sait Hoi.

Peter says Hoi.

Hoi Anna, wie gaht's?

Hi Anna, how are you?

Hoi Ueli, wie geyt's?

Hi Ueli, how are you?

Sali/ˈz̥ɒli/

hey (informal)

Sali du!

Hi there!

Sali zäme!

Hi everyone!

Sali, Anna!

Hey, Anna!

Keep going

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