Greetings
Grüessech
GRÜE-sech
The Bernese hello to someone you do not know. 'Grüezi' is Zurich; say Grüessech here and you have already placed yourself correctly.
Daily life
Bärndütsch
BÄRN-dütsh
The Bern dialect, famous across Switzerland for being spoken slowly. Your German course did not teach it, and locals will switch to Hochdeutsch if you ask.
Marzili
mar-TSEE-li
The free riverside lido below the Bundeshaus where everyone gets out of the Aare. Free entry, and the lawn is the city's summer living room.
Lauben
LOW-ben
The covered arcades running the length of the Old Town — kilometres of them. Bern shops, drinks and shelters from the rain underneath.
Gurte
GOOR-te
The Gurten, the city's house mountain, reached by a funicular from Wabern. Locals go up for the view, the sledging and the July festival.
Anmeldung
AN-mel-doong
Registering your address, legally required within 14 days. In Bern Swiss and EU/EFTA nationals can do it online through eUmzugCH rather than at a counter.
Libero-Abo
LEE-be-ro AH-bo
The season ticket for the Libero tariff network covering the cantons of Bern and Solothurn — trams, buses, the S-Bahn and BERNMOBIL.
Culture
Aareböötle / Aare schwümme
AH-re-böö-tle
Floating or swimming down the Aare, which loops right around the Old Town. The city's central summer ritual, and genuinely fast water.
Zibelemärit
TSEE-be-le-mä-rit
The onion market, held on the fourth Monday of November from before dawn. Confetti, onion tarts and mulled wine in the dark.
Work
Bundesbern
BOON-des-bern
The federal political world — parliament, the departments, the lobbies. Used the way people elsewhere say 'Westminster' or 'the Beltway'.
Food
Berner Platte
BER-ner PLAT-te
The regional dish — smoked and boiled meats on sauerkraut and beans, served for several people. Winter food, ordered by the table.
Emergency
144 / 117 / 118
Ambulance / police / fire
The Swiss emergency numbers; 112 also connects.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.