Difference between revisions of "Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be"

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<div class="pg_page_title">Swiss German Grammar - How to Use "Be"</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">Swiss German Grammar - How to Use "Be"</div>
Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/swiss-german Swiss German] learners! 😊<br>In this lesson, we will learn how to use the verb "be" in Swiss German. We will look at the different forms of the verb and how to use them in sentences. We will also look at some examples of how to use the verb in context. __TOC__


== Introduction ==
Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/swiss-german Swiss German] learners! 😊
The verb "be" is one of the most important verbs in any language. In Swiss German, it is used to express a state of being or existence. It can also be used to describe a person or thing. The verb "be" is conjugated differently depending on the subject of the sentence.  
In this lesson, we will focus on the verb "be" in Swiss German. This verb is crucial to express ideas such as identity, occupation or origin. Knowing how to use it correctly will make a noticeable difference in your Swiss German communication skills.  


== Conjugation ==
__TOC__
The verb "be" is conjugated differently depending on the subject of the sentence. Here is a table of the conjugations for the verb "be":  
 
==Introduction==
First things first, let's clarify the meaning of the word "be".
In Swiss German, the verb "be" can be translated as "sein" in German. It is used to convey the idea of permanence or existence.
For example:
*Ich bin Schweizer (I am Swiss)
In this sentence, "bin" is the first-person singular form of the verb "be" and it is used to express the speaker's identity.
 
==Present tense==
In the present tense, the verb "be" in Swiss German is conjugated as follows:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Swiss German !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
! Subject !! Swiss German !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
| ich bin || [ɪh bɪn] || I am
|-
|-
| ich || bin || [bɪn] || I am
| du bisch || [du bɪʃ] || you are (singular informal)
|-
|-
| du || bisch || [bɪʃ] || you are (informal)
| är/sie/äs isch || [ɛr/zi/æs ɪʃ] || he/she/it is
|-
|-
| er/sie/es || isch || [ɪʃ] || he/she/it is
| mir sind || [mɪr zɪnd] || we are
|-
|-
| mir || sin || [sɪn] || we are
| ihr sind || [ihr zɪnd] || you are (plural informal)
|-
|-
| ihr || seid || [zaɪt] || you are (plural)
| sie/ si sind || [zi/si zɪnd] || they are / you (formal) are
|-
| sie || sin || [sɪn] || they are
|}
|}


== Examples ==
==Example dialogue==
Here are some examples of how to use the verb "be" in Swiss German:  
*Chris: Hesch du Züri Nummereys? (Do you have the phone number of Zurich?)
*Sara: Nei, ich bini nid vo Züri. (No, I'm not from Zurich.)
*Chris: Ah okay, wo bisch du deheim? (Ah okay, where are you from?)
*Sara: Ich bin vo Basel. (I'm from Basel.)


* Person 1: Wie heisst du? ([vaɪ haɪst du]?) What is your name?
==Present Perfect tense==
* Person 2: Ich heisse Peter. ([ɪç haɪsə pɛtər]) My name is Peter.  
In Swiss German, the present perfect tense of "be" is formed with "hän" + past participle "gsii" (been). Keep in mind that this tense indicates that the action is completed, in contrast to the present tense, which indicates that the action is ongoing.  
* Person 1: Wo bisch du gebore? ([vo bɪʃ du geˈboːrə]?) Where were you born?
For example:
* Person 2: Ich bin in Zürich gebore. ([ɪç bɪn ɪn tsyrɪç geˈboːrə]) I was born in Zurich.  
*Ich han gsii. (I have been.)
* Person 1: Was machsch du? ([vas maç ʃu]?) What do you do?
*S'het lang gsii, dass ich disch gseh ha. (It's been a long time since I've seen you.)
* Person 2: Ich bin Lehrer. ([ɪç bɪn leˈhreːr]) I am a teacher.  


== Conclusion ==
==Example dialogue==
In this lesson, we have learned how to use the verb "be" in Swiss German. We have looked at the different conjugations of the verb and how to use them in sentences. We have also seen some examples of how to use the verb in context.  
*David: Wo hesch denn ds Wucheänd verbrocht? (Where did you spend the weekend?)
*Janine: Ich han z' Oschtarei gsii. (I have been to Austria.)
*David: Giits schön gsi? (Was it nice?)
*Janine: Ja, es isch wunderschön gsii. (Yes, it was wonderful.)
 
==Future tense==
To form the future tense in Swiss German, we use the auxiliary verb "werde" (will) and add the infinitive of the main verb "be". For example:
*I wärde bald en Eltere si. (I will soon be a parent.)
 
==Example dialogue==
*Lucas: Was mached ihr eigentlich am Wucheänd? (What are you guys doing this weekend?)
*Diana: Mir gönnd am Samstig uf d'Alpe. (On Saturday, we are going to the mountains.)
*Lucas: Ah cool, wäsche Gipfel wänd ihr bstige? (Ah cool, which peak are you going to climb?)
*Diana: Mir werde ds Rigi bstige. (We will climb Mount Rigi.)
 
==Negative contractions==
In Swiss German, we often use negative contractions for the verb "be". These contractions are formed by replacing the "i" in "ni" with an apostrophe. For example:
*Ich bin nöd fertig. (I'm not done)
*Du bisch ned do. (You are not here.)
There are no contractions for the 3rd person singular and plural form of "be".
 
==Interesting facts==
Switzerland has four national languages; German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Swiss German, also known as Schweizerdeutsch or dialect, is the spoken language in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.


To improve your [[Language/Swiss-german|Swiss German]] [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar|Grammar]], you can also use the [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] website. [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=6533 Find native speakers] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/swiss-german/question questions]!
To improve your [[Language/Swiss-german|Swiss German]] [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar|Grammar]], you can also use the [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] website. [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=6533 Find native speakers] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/swiss-german/question questions]!
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{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Swiss German Grammar - How to Use "Be"
|title=Swiss German Grammar - How to Use "Be"
|keywords=Swiss German, grammar, be, conjugation, examples, pronunciation, translation
|keywords=Swiss German, "be" verb, grammar, present tense, present perfect tense, future tense, negative contractions
|description=In this lesson, we will learn how to use the verb "be" in Swiss German. We will look at the different forms of the verb and how to use them in sentences. We will also look at some examples of how to use the verb in context.
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to use the verb "be" in Swiss German. We cover the present tense, present perfect, future tense and negative contractions, with examples and interesting cultural facts.
}}
}}
==Related Lessons==
* [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/Plurals|Plurals]]
* [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/Negation|Negation]]
* [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/Gender|Gender]]
* [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]]
* [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/Future-Tense|Future Tense]]
* [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/Adjectives|Adjectives]]
* [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/Give-your-Opinion|Give your Opinion]]
* [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/Pronouns|Pronouns]]
* [[Language/Swiss-german/Grammar/Questions|Questions]]


{{Swiss-german-Page-Bottom}}
{{Swiss-german-Page-Bottom}}

Revision as of 01:31, 3 March 2023

Flag of Switzerland 320px.png
Swiss German Grammar - How to Use "Be"

Hi Swiss German learners! 😊 In this lesson, we will focus on the verb "be" in Swiss German. This verb is crucial to express ideas such as identity, occupation or origin. Knowing how to use it correctly will make a noticeable difference in your Swiss German communication skills.

Introduction

First things first, let's clarify the meaning of the word "be". In Swiss German, the verb "be" can be translated as "sein" in German. It is used to convey the idea of permanence or existence. For example:

  • Ich bin Schweizer (I am Swiss)

In this sentence, "bin" is the first-person singular form of the verb "be" and it is used to express the speaker's identity.

Present tense

In the present tense, the verb "be" in Swiss German is conjugated as follows:

Swiss German Pronunciation English
ich bin [ɪh bɪn] I am
du bisch [du bɪʃ] you are (singular informal)
är/sie/äs isch [ɛr/zi/æs ɪʃ] he/she/it is
mir sind [mɪr zɪnd] we are
ihr sind [ihr zɪnd] you are (plural informal)
sie/ si sind [zi/si zɪnd] they are / you (formal) are

Example dialogue

  • Chris: Hesch du Züri Nummereys? (Do you have the phone number of Zurich?)
  • Sara: Nei, ich bini nid vo Züri. (No, I'm not from Zurich.)
  • Chris: Ah okay, wo bisch du deheim? (Ah okay, where are you from?)
  • Sara: Ich bin vo Basel. (I'm from Basel.)

Present Perfect tense

In Swiss German, the present perfect tense of "be" is formed with "hän" + past participle "gsii" (been). Keep in mind that this tense indicates that the action is completed, in contrast to the present tense, which indicates that the action is ongoing. For example:

  • Ich han gsii. (I have been.)
  • S'het lang gsii, dass ich disch gseh ha. (It's been a long time since I've seen you.)

Example dialogue

  • David: Wo hesch denn ds Wucheänd verbrocht? (Where did you spend the weekend?)
  • Janine: Ich han z' Oschtarei gsii. (I have been to Austria.)
  • David: Giits schön gsi? (Was it nice?)
  • Janine: Ja, es isch wunderschön gsii. (Yes, it was wonderful.)

Future tense

To form the future tense in Swiss German, we use the auxiliary verb "werde" (will) and add the infinitive of the main verb "be". For example:

  • I wärde bald en Eltere si. (I will soon be a parent.)

Example dialogue

  • Lucas: Was mached ihr eigentlich am Wucheänd? (What are you guys doing this weekend?)
  • Diana: Mir gönnd am Samstig uf d'Alpe. (On Saturday, we are going to the mountains.)
  • Lucas: Ah cool, wäsche Gipfel wänd ihr bstige? (Ah cool, which peak are you going to climb?)
  • Diana: Mir werde ds Rigi bstige. (We will climb Mount Rigi.)

Negative contractions

In Swiss German, we often use negative contractions for the verb "be". These contractions are formed by replacing the "i" in "ni" with an apostrophe. For example:

  • Ich bin nöd fertig. (I'm not done)
  • Du bisch ned do. (You are not here.)

There are no contractions for the 3rd person singular and plural form of "be".

Interesting facts

Switzerland has four national languages; German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Swiss German, also known as Schweizerdeutsch or dialect, is the spoken language in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.

To improve your Swiss German Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!


➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎