The Local Switzerland

The romantic words and phrases you need in Switzerland

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 18:03:23 +0100

Here are some essential phrases in French, German and Italian to help you out on Valentine's Day in Switzerland.

The nine very best French insults (for use when you're very, very angry)

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 11:36:17 +0200

If you've finally lost your cool over passive aggressive notes in your apartment building's laundry room, if you want to express your displeasure over a parking fine or if you just want a short sharp exchange of views with the person who has told you off for putting your rubbish out on the wrong day, here are the phrases you will need.

French Word of the Day: alors

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 22:55:20 +0200

Stumped by what this extremely common French word actually means? Et alors? -- Now you've got the perfect opportunity to find out.

French Expression of the Day: En fait

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 13:24:00 +0200

En fait, you probably hear this expression all the time if you live in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. But how do you use it?

Nine French expressions to help you celebrate the Swiss sunshine

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 13:20:50 +0200

With summer well and truly making its presence felt in Switzerland, here are some sun-filled French expressions to celebrate the season.

Official recognition for Jura-based French dialect

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:44:31 +0100

Switzerland’s government has decided to recognise the dialect spoken in canton Jura as an official minority language.

The 21 most annoying ‘false friends’ in French

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 12:40:00 +0200

Avoid ghastly gaffs in French-speaking Switzerland by reading our handy guide.

French terror suspect deported from Switzerland

Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:08:57 +0200

A Frenchwoman suspected of being a threat to Switzerland’s security was arrested and deported from the country in March, police have said.

Thurgau MPs vote to keep French on primary school timetable

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 14:18:49 +0200

In a surprise u-turn, the cantonal parliament in Thurgau has voted against a motion to banish the teaching of French from primary schools.

Zurich votes to keep teaching two languages in primary school

Mon, 22 May 2017 11:18:16 +0200

Primary school children in the German-speaking canton of Zurich will continue to learn both French and English after voters on Sunday rejected an initiative backed by teachers that called for only one language to be taught at that level.

Swiss-German canton pushes to banish French teaching from primary schools

Thu, 04 May 2017 13:13:42 +0200

The teaching of French at primary school level in German-speaking areas of Switzerland received a further blow this week as the Thurgau cantonal government voted to banish it from the timetable.

8 fantastic reasons to visit French-speaking Switzerland

Tue, 31 May 2016 14:06:30 +0200

A recent survey showed that 14 percent of German-speaking Swiss have never visited the country’s French-speaking regions and 49 percent only do so once a year. The Local shows them the incredible must-visit sites they’re missing out on.

France puts tax pressure on Switzerland

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:24:00 +0200

France is putting Switzerland under pressure to help it recover inheritance tax from its citizens resident in Switzerland.

Swiss French: 'Same dish but different spices'

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:04:00 +0200

To an Anglophone, the French spoken in Switzerland may sound much like that used in France, but don’t say that to a Parisian.