Gruezi

Grüezi, sometimes spelled Gruezi, is a common greeting in Swiss German. It functions as a formal or polite way to say hello and is widely used across the German-speaking parts of Switzerland, particularly in cantons such as Zürich, St. Gallen, and Thurgau.

The standard written form is Grüezi, with the non-u umlaut variant Gruezi appearing in contexts where umlauts are not available. In addition to the basic greeting, several common variants are used: Grüezi wohl, which adds a wish for well-being, and Grüezi mitenand, used when greeting multiple people together (literally “hello, everyone”).

Usage and social context vary by region and setting. Grüezi is commonly heard in shops, offices, and day-to-day encounters, and it is typically used when addressing one person in a courteous manner. In more informal contexts or among friends, other greetings such as Hoi, Salü, or Sali may be preferred depending on the area.

Etymology and note on language: Grüezi originates from Swiss German greeting traditions and is related to the broader Germanic practice of wishing someone well or offering a greeting. It is distinctive to Switzerland and contrasts with the standard High German greetings like Grüß Gott or Hallo used in neighboring regions.

See also: Swiss German language, Swiss culture, Zurich dialect.