Comparing Swiss French and Standard French: Key Differences

Swiss French and the French spoken in France are quite alike, allowing native speakers from both regions to understand each other with ease. However, there are notable vocabulary differences, including greetings and numbers. For instance, while Swiss French uses “septante” for seventy, the version spoken in France says “soixante-dix.” These variations highlight the unique characteristics of each dialect.

Other differences include common expressions, daily life objects, and greeting words. Let’s take a look!

Where is French spoken in Switzerland?

Switzerland is a vibrant multilingual nation, with French recognized as one of its four official languages. Four out of the 26 cantons are primarily French-speaking, and three others are bilingual, blending French and German. According to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, over 20% of the Swiss population communicates in French. The region known as Romandie, which encompasses major cities like Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Sion, and Montreux, is the heart of French language and culture in Switzerland.

Differences between Swiss French vs. French

Swiss French and standard French have different words for numbers, common greetings, and some daily life objects.

Numbers in Swiss French vs. French

French numbers can be quite challenging after sixty. For instance, the number seventy is expressed as “soixante-dix,” which means “sixty-ten.” Similarly, eighty is “quatre-vingts,” translating to “four twenties,” and ninety is “quatre-vingt-dix,” or “four-twenty-ten.” These unique constructions can make counting in French a fun puzzle to solve!

In Swiss French, counting is refreshingly straightforward for English speakers. Unlike in standard French, where numbers like seventy, eighty, and ninety require multiplication, Swiss French uses distinct words: “septante” for seventy, “huitante” for eighty, and “nonante” for ninety. This means you can say eighty without having to calculate four times twenty!

Here are some numbers between seventy and ninety, and the Swiss and French ways of saying them:

Meals in Swiss French vs. French

In French spoken in France, the meal names are petit-déjeuner (breakfast, which literally means “small lunch”), déjeuner (lunch), and dîner (dinner).

In Swiss French, breakfast is referred to as “déjeuner,” which is more substantial than just a light meal. It’s important to note that the terms for other meals differ from standard French: “dîner” refers to lunch, while “souper” means dinner.

Vocabulary differences and false friends

False friends can even occur within the same language! Take the word “linge,” for instance: in standard French, it translates to “laundry,” while in Swiss French, it refers to both “towel” and “laundry.” This highlights the fascinating variations that can exist even among closely related dialects.

Swiss French and standard French often employ distinct vocabulary to express the same ideas. For instance, the term for “hair dryer” varies: in standard French, it’s called “sèche-cheveux,” where “sèche” means dry and “cheveux” means hair. In contrast, Swiss French uses the word “afoehn,” which intriguingly also refers to a warm Alpine wind!

Here are some more examples:

Swiss French vs. French greetings

“Salut” serves as both a greeting and farewell in French. Interestingly, in Swiss French, “adieu” is used similarly for both welcoming and parting. However, in France, “adieu” strictly means goodbye and is reserved for more formal occasions, making its usage quite different.

The familiar French expression for “how are you,” *ça va*, takes on a unique twist in Switzerland, where people say *ça joue*. Interestingly, the literal translation of *ça joue* is “it plays,” adding a playful nuance to the greeting.

Swiss French vs. French expressions

Many Swiss French words show a distinct German influence, reflecting the fact that 60% of Swiss citizens are native German speakers. A notable example is the German verb “putzen,” meaning “to clean,” which has evolved into the Swiss French term “poutzer.”

In Swiss French, some expressions resemble their German counterparts. For instance, while “bless you” is expressed as “à tes souhaits” in informal settings and “à vos souhaits” formally, Swiss French speakers prefer saying “santé,” which translates to “health.” This mirrors the German “Gesundheit,” which literally means “health” and is also used as a response to sneezing.

Here are some other expressions that differ:

Swiss French vs. French Accent

French accents showcase a fascinating diversity that extends beyond the borders of France and Switzerland, varying significantly within different regions of both countries. Notably, Swiss French tends to be spoken at a slower pace compared to standard French. In certain areas, this accent takes on a musical quality, where words are pronounced with greater length and a melodic rhythm, adding a unique charm to the language.

Where to learn Swiss French?

Great news! If you’ve previously taken standard French classes, you’re already ahead of the game. Your knowledge of key French vocabulary and grammar will serve you well, whether you’re exploring the streets of France or enjoying the beauty of Switzerland.

Are you new to learning French? Consider enrolling in online classes with a Swiss tutor. This approach will not only help you master the essentials of speaking French in Switzerland, whether you’re an expat or a traveler, but also immerse you in the unique expressions and phrases commonly used by the Swiss in their everyday conversations.

On LingualNeeds, you can access online French lessons from over 2,000 tutors around the world, including Switzerland.