You know how on a train or tram it's polite to ask if the seat is free before sitting down? I've been trying to figure out what people are actually asking in Swiss German but can't quite catch what they are saying. Can anyone tell me what it is?

High German is 'Ist hier noch frei?', so I think the Swiss German would be something like 'Isch daa frei?'

... at least, that's what they say out here in rustic SZ...

Yep, thats they are asking, in a generally rhetorical manner, if the seat is free.

My local station is a regional stop, so the morning train is pretty packed. A few people get off and if there are usually a couple of places available. With so many people most don't bother to ask because it is a rather pointless question in peak hour.

As I have pointed out in another thread, the Swiss have perfected the art of occupying four seats single handedly.

In Zuerich : Isch daa noch frei. Sounds more like Schtannock Fry. Took me ages to work out what they were actually saying.

Gav

Don't forget the "Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrüezi Wohlllllll..."

Ps, and in Zurich, end the question with "oder?"

that's the best phonetic translation I've ever seen for this - you'd have done a better job of the 'Hoi' book, I reckon.

That's the one. Thanks everyone

Actually to be correct it is "ist er noch frei" given that the seat to which you are referring is masculine hence the a in the ischtannokfry!

I'm pretty sure that the "a" comes from "Da", as in "here". Isch Da No frei, or Ist hier noch frei.

To which the answer will probably "Nie, meine Tasche liegt da !"
dave

Interesting. I've never really heard it being said on public transport, at least in Zurich. If the bus/train was full enough to require you to occupy the seat, it would hardly be necessary to ask would it? Of course, some might say it, but what would the response be if the person said "no"?

I will however say it in a rather sarcastic tone if I spot someone obviously trying to occupy more than one seat and hope to get away with it on a crowded bus. Usually this results in the person quickly gathering up their possessions and making an embarassed apology.

I always thought it was "ist der noch frei" referring to "that particular seat" rather than just "any old seat".

surely there's an amused native speaker lurking who can enlighten us?!...

Ok, as a native speaker its "isch da no frei". The "da" referring to the place ie here so it would best translate to "is this here free".. Hope that helps

thanks Lynn!

I hear it all the time on the train .. it's just a courtesy really. I've never heard anyone say no.

Though I do agree with you about people blocking seats - the amount of times I've seen someone attempting to take both seats up on a crowded bus or tram by plonking their rucksack/bag beside them is ridiculous. I usually make a point of asking to sit there.

Gav

It's standard in long distances trains eg: zurich - bern. It's almost rude to not ask. I guess in those circumstances, people move about the train quite a bit for the toilet/buffet car. I've also started to notice it being used outside of Zurich eg: down the lake from Meilen, but still not as common.

But people sure do smile a lot more.

Interesting that there is a(nother) subtle difference between Swiss German and high German...

That said da can be translated into either here or there which would make perfect sense in comparison to the German he!

It pretty much depends on the type of service and how busy it is. I mean, if the train is a peak-hour all stops number, then the question is rhetorical, and pretty much useless (if the seat was not free, there would be a bum on it). On my morning peak train, its so full most people don't bother asking, and don't care if they don't get asked. Everyone has their head buried in a copy of 20Minutes.

However, on low-peak or long distance trains, the question can be deemed appropriate, because people do get up to use the WC or grab a snack, as other seats would be available.

From what I know, I think "da" is here, while "det" is there.

da oder dort is there - is det Swiss German? Hier is really here but da can be here. Sort of strange but that's German for you... Da can be lots of other things as well so tread carefully, most commonly as/because/since as in

"Da er keine Schuhe hatte,..."