Swiss German (Züridütsch) gsi / gsii past participle
Swiss German past participle of 'sein' (to be) is 'gsi/gsii' — completely different from Standard German 'gewesen'. Also: 'ghaa' (gehabt), 'gmacht' (gemacht)
Practice Words
Accent-Specific Pronunciation Guide
How you approach this sound depends on your English accent. Find yours below for personalised coaching.
American English
Swiss German past participles drop the ge- prefix and simplify radically. 'Gewesen' → 'gsi' (g-see). 'Gehabt' → 'ghaa'. 'Gemacht' → 'gmacht'. The 'g-' prefix replaces 'ge-' and the rest shortens. This sounds nothing like Standard German and is one of the first things you'll hear in Switzerland.
Bridge from: gewesen → gsi (g + see)
Common mistakes:
- •Using Standard German 'gewesen'
- •Adding a vowel after g- (it's a bare consonant cluster)
- •Not shortening enough
Drill sequence:
- gewesen → gsi (g-see, two sounds)
- gehabt → ghaa
- gemacht → gmacht
- Ich bi gsi = I was
British English
Swiss German simplifies past participles dramatically. gewesen → gsi. Learn these as new words.
Bridge from: gewesen → gsi (g + see)
Common mistakes:
- •Standard German forms
Drill sequence:
- gsi, ghaa, gmacht
Australian / NZ English
Radical simplification. gewesen → gsi. Just g + see. Learn the top 5 past participles first.
Bridge from: gewesen → gsi (g + see)
Common mistakes:
- •Standard German forms
Drill sequence:
- gsi, ghaa, gmacht, gässe, gange
Irish English
Simplified past participles. Your comfort with consonant clusters helps with 'gsi', 'gmacht'.
Bridge from: gewesen → gsi (g + see)
Common mistakes:
- •Standard German forms
Drill sequence:
- gsi, ghaa, gmacht
Scottish English
Scottish English handles consonant clusters well. 'Gsi' (g-see) should feel natural.
Bridge from: gewesen → gsi (g + see)
Common mistakes:
- •Standard German forms
Drill sequence:
- gsi, ghaa, gmacht
Indian English
Hindi consonant clusters help. 'Gsi' = g+see. Learn these as new forms.
Bridge from: gewesen → gsi (g + see)
Common mistakes:
- •Standard German forms
Drill sequence:
- gsi, ghaa, gmacht
South African English
Radical simplification of past participles. gewesen → gsi. Must learn as new vocabulary.
Bridge from: gewesen → gsi (g + see)
Common mistakes:
- •Standard German forms
Drill sequence:
- gsi, ghaa, gmacht
Nigerian / W. African English
Swiss past participles are drastically shortened. Learn gsi, ghaa, gmacht as new words.
Bridge from: gewesen → gsi (g + see)
Common mistakes:
- •Standard German forms
Drill sequence:
- gsi, ghaa, gmacht
Frequently Asked Questions
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More Swiss German (Züridütsch) Sounds
Swiss German uses 'ch' where Standard German uses 'k' — Chind (Kind), Chatz (Katze), chalt (kalt)
The Swiss German diminutive suffix — Hüsli (little house), Chätzli (kitty), Müesli (little muesli)
Many vowels that are short in Standard German become LONG in Züridütsch — wider, more open, held longer
Same front rounded vowels as Standard German — grüezi, schön, Züri, Hüsli, Bölle
Swiss German uses 'scht' and 'schp' in ALL positions — not just word-initial like Standard German
Swiss German often softens the sharp initial 'ts' of Standard German — Zeit → Ziit, zu → zue, Zug → Zug
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