to know - könne vs. wüsse
Here is a short lesson about the Swiss German verb "to know". Both of them mean the same, however they are used in different setting. I will try to explain when to use "könne" and when to use "wüsse". I hope the examples below will help you understand the difference.
"I know" in Swiss German
Beidi Verbe wärded mit "to know" uf Änglisch übersetzt
Weisch wenn mer könne und wenn mer wüsse bruucht?
Versuech die Sätz uf Schwiizertütsch z übersetze:
Wüsse - to know
Ich weiss, was das heisst.
I know, what this means.
ERINNERIGE
Weisch no? Wo du früsch i d Schwiiz bisch cho, denn … -
Do you remember? ...
Du, hesch scho ghört, dass d Ester e nöii Schtell bi de Nationalbank het?
Jo. Das weiss i scho lang.
Did you already hear, that Ester has a new job at the national bank?
Yes, I know this since a long time.
Hesch gwüsst (past), dass z Pole e moslemischi Minderheit läbt, wo no vo de Tartare abschtammt. -
Sicher? Nei, das ha-n-i nid gwüsst. Ich könne die polnischi Gschicht (history) nid so guet.
Did you know, that, there lives a muslim minority in Poland, who are descendants from the tartares.
Really? No, I didn't know that. I don't know the Polish history so well.
Hesch gwüsst, dass ...
Did you know that ...
Weisch wenn mer könne und wenn mer wüsse bruucht?
Versuech die Sätz uf Schwiizertütsch z übersetze:
- Do you know, what is up in the cinema?
- Do you know this Film?
- Yes, but I don't know, who are the main actors.
Wüsse - to know
Ich weiss, was das heisst.
I know, what this means.
ERINNERIGE
Weisch no? Wo du früsch i d Schwiiz bisch cho, denn … -
Do you remember? ...
Du, hesch scho ghört, dass d Ester e nöii Schtell bi de Nationalbank het?
Jo. Das weiss i scho lang.
Did you already hear, that Ester has a new job at the national bank?
Yes, I know this since a long time.
Hesch gwüsst (past), dass z Pole e moslemischi Minderheit läbt, wo no vo de Tartare abschtammt. -
Sicher? Nei, das ha-n-i nid gwüsst. Ich könne die polnischi Gschicht (history) nid so guet.
Did you know, that, there lives a muslim minority in Poland, who are descendants from the tartares.
Really? No, I didn't know that. I don't know the Polish history so well.
Hesch gwüsst, dass ...
Did you know that ...
Könne - to know (with nouns)
Es isch wichtig, d Konsequänze vo sine Entscheidige so guet wie möglich z könne.
It’s important to know as well as possible the consequences of ones decisions.
Könnsch de Bundespresidänt vo de Schwiiz?
Könne (praktisch)? Nei, das wär z vil gseit, ich weiss (theoretisch) wär s isch, nämlich de Alain Berset.
Do you know the Swiss president of the Bundesrat.
I don't really know him, that would be exagerated, I know, who it is, actually it's Alain Berset,
Könnsch Grafen?
Nei, ich weiss nid, was das isch.
Mir hend einisch drüber gredt, aber das isch scho lang här.
Do you know Grafen?
No, I don't know, what it is.
We once spoke about it, but this is a long time ago.
Könnsch New York?
Nei, eigentlich nid. Ich weiss, wo s isch, aber ich bi no nie det gsi.
Do you know NY?
No, not really. I know where it is, but I've never been there.
Mine Unkel könnt Züri wie sine eiget Hosesack!
My uncle knows Zurich like his own trouser pocket (= very well)
Aha, jetz weiss-i, wie das isch.
Ich könne de Underschid zwüsche Wüsse und Könne.
ALSO DAS ISCH ESO: Hesch es richtig gmacht?
Weisch, was im Kino lauft?
Könnsch dä Film?
Jo. Aber ich weiss nid, wär d Houptdarschteller sind.
Do you know, what is up in the cinema?
Do you know this Film?
Yes, but I don't know, who are the main actors.
