Ways to say it
| Swiss German | Note |
|---|---|
| merci | |
| danke | |
| merci vielmal | very much |
| danke vielmal | very much |
| merci viumau | Bernese |
To say 'thank you very much', Swiss speakers add vielmal, 'many times', and say merci vielmal. The German danke is also used, and danke vielmal means the same as merci vielmal.
What does it mean word for word?
merci is borrowed from French. vielmal joins viel, 'much', and mal, 'times', so merci vielmal is literally 'thanks many times'.
Which one should you use?
merci is the everyday word in German-speaking Switzerland and fits almost any situation. danke is just as correct and a little more neutral. In writing, Swiss people usually switch to Standard German vielen Dank.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The words for thanks do not change with formality. What changes is the pronoun around them: merci für dini Hilf to a friend, merci für Ihri Hilf to someone you address formally.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Each region has its own sound. In Bern people say merci viumau, because an l before a consonant turns into a u sound in Bernese.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say what you are thankful for, use für: merci für d Iiladig, 'thanks for the invitation', or merci für s Znacht, 'thanks for dinner'. The short article d or s comes before the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
Swiss speakers stress merci on the first syllable, 'MER-ci', while French speakers stress the second. The r is usually rolled or made at the back of the throat.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Swiss German is mostly spoken, so there is no fixed spelling. You may see vielmal, vilmal or viumau written. All of them are understood, but use Standard German vielen Dank in formal writing.
When do people say it?
The usual reply is gärn gscheh, 'gladly done', or kei Ursach, 'no reason'. Swiss people also say merci constantly in shops, on buses and to waiters, often several times in one exchange.
Did you know?
- merci vielmal puts a French word and a German word into one phrase, a mix that is typical of Swiss German.
- Swiss German has no official spelling, so people write it the way it sounds in their own region.
Examples in context
- Merci vielmal für d Iiladig.Thank you very much for the invitation.
- Merci für s Znacht, es isch fein gsi.Thanks for dinner, it was delicious.
- Danke, das isch mega nett vo dir.Thanks, that is really nice of you.
Example conversation
Lea thanks her neighbour Luca for watering her plants while she was away.
- LeaMerci vielmal für dini Hilf.Thank you very much for your help.
- LucaGärn gscheh.You are welcome.
- LeaChumm doch morn uf en Kafi.Come over for a coffee tomorrow.
- LucaGärn, merci.Gladly, thanks.
