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A Journey Through Time: Visiting Alsace’s Memorial Sites
- February 27, 2023
- To Know
Alsace is a region that has been marked by several historical events, including both World War I and World War II. As... Read More
Alsatian Slang Crash Course
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by Andrea Ward
- February 25, 2023
- To Know
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Ah, the Alsatian dialect! It’s a unique blend of French and German, with a few of its own twists and quirks. It’s a delight to hear and speak, and it adds so much character to the region.
The Alsatian dialect is spoken by many locals, especially in smaller towns and villages.
Here are the top Alsatian words to know:
Kopfertami: expresses discontent.
This term could be translated as “For F*** sake!” Very vulgar but widely used.
Example: “Kopfertami, I cut myself with the pruning shears while harvesting in Ribeauvillé!”
Yo! : to be used everywhere, all the time.
This expression expresses surprise, discontent, contentment…
Example: “Yo! This can’t be true, I’ve lost my slippers!”
Hopla: Come on
This one is often used, a bit like “vamos” in Spanish.
Example: “Hopla, let’s take the car and go for a walk in the Vosges”.
Oyéééé: onomatopoeia of complaint
This expression is used as a kind of long, plaintive phoneme. Derived from the German “Ja”.
Example: “Oyéééé, someone stole my wallet”.
Boire un schluck: Grab a drink
“Schluck” means “a sip” in Alsatian, so “boire un schluck” means “to have a drink” or “to take a sip.”
Ça geht?: Salutation
This phrase is Alsatian for “How are you?” or “How’s it going?”
Merci vielmols: Gratitude
This Alsatian phrase means “thank you very much” and is a great way to show your appreciation
So here’s your crash course in Alsatian slang that should come in handy
