Learn Swiss German with short stories

Listen to the story in Swiss German, try to figure out the general meaning and focus on the things you understand. Don't worry if you don't understand everything. Listen to the story several times, the more you will listen the more details will you be able to pick up. Enjoy.

This is the story of Simran. She came from India to Switzerland to look for love and happiness. Simran is a top IT-specialist. She works for a Swiss bank. Unfortunately the atmosphere in the office is anything but good and she has to make a lot of overhours every day. Yes, apart from work she can't really lead a normal social life. It is very hard for her to get to know other people.

​It's after work, and Simran is on the way home. Tonight she is totally worn out. It's February, it's raining cats and dogs, and the eastern wind blows cold in her face. She misses her warm homeland, her family, and friends. Suddenly somebody offers her an umbrella.

"Ui, this is miserable weather today!
Why don't you come under the umbrella? You're becoming soaking wet!" says a friendly woman, who might be her age. She is wearing a raincoat with a hood and is holding out an umbrella to her.
Surprised Simran looks up. Actually, she doesn't understand all, but she accepts the offer thankfully: "Thank you very much!"

"Where are you from?" asks the passer-by.
"I come from India."
"Surely there it is much nicer than here now!"
"Yes, and it is hot."
"What are you doing here?"
"I work as an IT-specialist in a bank. But I imagined life in Switzerland very different."
"Why?"
"We all have to work so much, that I don't have time, to meet people and enjoy Switzerland."
"Hm. This is a pity. You know what? I live right here around the corner. When you have time, then I would like to invite you for a small coffee. Then you can get warm again and wait until it doesn't rain that much anymore.
Besides you can get to know my family. Even my brother is home today.

Das isch d Gschicht vo de Simran. Si isch us Indie i d Schwiiz cho zum Liebi und Glück z sueche. D Simran isch e top Informatikeri. Si schaffed für e Schwiizer Bank. Leider isch s Arbetsklima im Büro alles andere wie guet und si mues jede Tag vil Überschtunde mache. Ja, si cha näbed em Schaffe fascht keis normals Sozialläbe fühere. Es isch sehr schwirig für si, Kontakt mit de-n-andere z finde.

Es isch Fürobig und d Simran isch uf em Heiwäg. Hüt am Obig isch si fix und fertig. Es isch Februar, es schiffed wie us Chüble gosse und d Biise blost ire chalt is Gsicht. Si vermisst iri warmi Heimat, iri Familie und Fründe. Do bietet ire plötzlich öpper e Schirm aa.

“Ui, das isch aber es Huddelwätter hüt!
Wönd si nid under de Schirm cho? Si wärdet jo tropfnass!” Seit e fründlichi Frau , wo öppe i ihrem Alter chönnt sii. Si treit e Rägemantel mit Kaputze und schtreckt ire de Schirm entgäge. 

Überrascht luegt d Simran uuf. Si verschtoht zwar nid alles, aber si nimmt de Schirm dankend aa: “Danke vil mal.”

“Wohär chömed si?” frogt d Passantin wiiter.
“Ich chume-n-us Indie.”
“Det isch jetz sicher vil schöner als bi üs!”
“Jo und es isch heiss.”
“Was mached si do?”
“Ich schaffe als Informatikeri bi de Bank. Aber ich ha mir s Läbe i de Schwiiz ganz anders vorgschtellt.”
“Wiso?”
“Mir münd alli so vil schaffe, dass i gar kei Ziit ha, Lüüt könnezlehre und d Schwiiz z gnüsse.”
“Hm. Das isch schad. Wüssed Si was? Ich wohne grad do um de Egge. Wenn Si Ziit hend, denn lad ich si gärn zumene Käfeli ii. Denn chönd Si sich bi üs chli uufwärme und warte, bis es nümm so rägnet.
Usserdem chönd Si au mini Familie könnelehre. Sogar mine Brüeder isch hüt dehei.”


Swiss German to English translation:

Das isch d Gschicht  - this is a story 

​Si isch us Indie - She is from India 

Si schaffed für e Schwiizer Bank - She works in a Swiss Bank 

Es isch sehr schwirig für si - It is very hard for her

Wohär chömed si? - Where are you from?

Ich chume-n-us Indie - I come from India

Das isch schad - That's a shame