We Swiss are not known for being particularly passionate or emotional. The Italians or Spaniards are. But even if we show our feelings less in public, because we believe that this is a private matter, it does not mean that we have no feelings. Just like anyone else, we fall in love and share our emotions with the people who are important to us and whom we love.
Have you fallen in love with a Swiss person? You did? So would it not be nice if you could tell her or him your feelings in Swiss German? That’s why we have put together a useful vocabulary of Swiss German love vows and phrases. So that you can surprise your darling and make him or her love you even more!
Nicknames for your lover
Nicknames always express the special intimacy in a partnership. That’s how we show our affection and how familiar and comfortable we are with each other. The choice of the nickname does not happen accidentally. It is inseparably connected to the feelings for the partner and reflects them.
Each language of course has its own unique nicknames. Besides the very special vocabulary, in Swiss German the diminutive form “-li” is also used very often. As this ending can show affection, Swiss people like to add it to their preferred nickname.
No. 1 “Schatz”
Swiss people love to call their girl- or boyfriend “Schatz”. It is the most used nickname in the country. “Schatz” also comes in different variations, depending on the dialect or the age of the person using it.
- Schätzli
- Schätzeli
- Schätzi
- Schatzi
The words “Schatz” and “Schatzi” have a long tradition by the way, also in high German. Those expressions got back to Goethe’s day and can be found in many of his poems.
Particularly popular – terms from the world of animals
In the German language and in Swiss German lots of animal names are used to refer to the partner. A fact that latin languages for example don’t know at all. The most popular expressions are:
| Swiss German | English |
| Muus, Müsli | Mouse |
| Bär, Bäärli | Bear |
| Schnägg, Schnäggli | Snail |
| Spatz, Spätzli | Sparrow |
| Chäfer, Chäferli | Beetle |
More typical Swiss German expressions
In addition to animals, these are more ways to call your boyfriend or girlfriend in Swiss German:
| For your girlfriend | For your boyfriend | English translation |
| Schnügel | Schnügel | Cutie |
| Chlini | Chlinä | Little one |
| Herz | Herz | Heart |
| Liebschti | Liebschte | My love |
| Schöni | Schöne | Beautiful |
International nicknames
Multilingualism in Switzerland is also reflected in the choice of nicknames. Again and again, one hears French or Italian terms. Urban Swiss men in particular like to choose English nicknames. These are the most commonly used nicknames from other languages:
| English | French | Italian |
| Baby | Chérie | Amore |
| Babe | Bella/Bello | |
| Honey | ||
| Cutie pie |
Ich lieb diiiiiich
One of the most important sentences in the world: I love you. Of course you have to know how to say it in Swiss German. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound quite as romantic as in French “Je t’aime” and not quite as passionate as in Spanish “te amo”. In Swiss German they say:
- Ich lieb dich/di
- Depending on the dialect, you can also say: ich ha di lieb
The equivalent to the English “I like you” is in Swiss German: “ich ha di gärn”.
Till death do us part
Let’s say you’ve been with your girlfriend or boyfriend for a few years and you’re sure you want to spend the rest of your life with that person. So how do you ask THE most important questions in Swiss German? Here are the most important terms and phrases about marriage:
| Swiss German | English |
| Willsch du mich hürate? | Do you want to marry me |
| Willsch du mini Frau werde? | Do you want to become my wife? |
| Ehefrau | Wife |
| Ehemaa | Husband |
| Bis dass de Tod eus scheidet | Till death do us part |
| Ehering | Wedding ring |
| Verlobig | Engagement |
| Hochzit | Wedding |
| Trauzügin | Maid of honor |
| Trauzüg | Best man |
| Polterabig | Bachelor party |
| Hochzitsreis | Honeymoon |
Exchange more than a few romantic words
We have now equipped you with the most important words in Swiss German on the subject of love. So that you can exchange more than just a few words with your Swiss partner, we recommend that you book our online course.