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

At the b-sharpe offices, the expressions we use most often are:
Here are some other terms and expressions you’re very 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!

In brief

• French as spoken in French-speaking Switzerland retains its own vocabulary quirks, such as "septante" and "nonante" for seventy and ninety.
• Many local expressions pepper everyday speech, like "il n'y a pas le feu au lac" (no rush) or "ça joue" (that works).
• The article compiles a comprehensive glossary of the most commonly used words and expressions in French-speaking Switzerland, from "natel" (mobile phone) to "panosse" (mop).

Jean-Marc Sabet Founder & CEO of b-sharpe, former FX trader at UBS

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

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

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


Service	Thank you – it’s the least I could do
Tout de bon	All the best / best of luck going forward
Ça joue	It works / that’s fine
Il n’y a pas le feu au lac	There’s no urgency
Ça va le chalet ?	Are you out of your mind?
Je me réjouis	I can’t wait, I’m delighted

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


Le natel	The mobile phone
Jaquette	Cardigan
Une fourre	A folder for storing documents, or a phone case
Un cornet/une poche	A plastic bag/a paper bag
Santé	Said when someone sneezes, the equivalent of “bless you”
Fais seulement	Please, go ahead
La panosse	The mop
Un bobet	A fool, a simpleton
Le foehn	A hairdryer / the name of a warm wind blowing from the south
Adieu	Hello / goodbye
Bizingue	Crooked, zigzagging
Faire un clopet	To have a nap, a short sleep
Une canette	A pint (of beer)
Pive	Pine cone
Yogourt	Yoghurt
Action	Special offer
Se parquer	To park
Se faire un bec	To kiss each other on the cheek
Remettre l’église au milieu du village	To put things back in order
Être sur le balan	To hesitate
Mets-toi à la chote	Get to safety
De bleu de bleu	Expresses surprise, similar to “good heavens”
Un godet	A drink/a glass
Le cheni	The mess, the clutter
Un linge	A towel
Une action	A special offer, a discount
Un duvet	A duvet
Séré	Curd cheese (fromage blanc)
Thé froid	Iced tea
Bancomat	Cash machine (ATM)
Votation	Vote, ballot
Papier ménage	Kitchen roll
Quittance	Receipt, ticket
Il fait bon chaud / il fait bon froid	It’s pleasantly warm / pleasantly cold

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

The list we’ve put together in this article is, of course, not exhaustive. If you think of any other expressions, feel free to share them with us in the comments – we’ll be happy to add them!