Greetings

1. Bun di!

   Good morning / Good day

   Usage

   The basic greeting from morning through the day. Romansh speakers use their own local idiom (Sursilvan, Vallader and others) in daily life, while the written standard shown here, Rumantsch Grischun, is a safe form for official settings and for people you have just met. All speakers also know German

   Grammar Note

   bun (good) + di (day). From the evening use Buna saira, at night Buna notg

2. Grazia fitg!

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   The standard way to say thanks. A natural reply is Fatg gugent! (you are welcome)

   Grammar Note

   Grazia (thanks) + fitg (very much). Grazia alone also works

3. Per plaschair.

   Please

   Usage

   Added at the end of requests and orders. It is also used when offering something, like "please, go ahead"

   Grammar Note

   Literally "for pleasure". Plaschair is a masculine noun; as a verb it means to please

4. A revair!

   Goodbye

   Usage

   The standard way to say goodbye

   Grammar Note

   Learn it as a fixed expression meaning "until we see each other again"

5. Perstgisai!

   Excuse me / Sorry

   Usage

   A polite way to get someone's attention or apologise lightly (imperative for Vus). To a friend use Perstgisa!

   Grammar Note

   The -ai imperative of perstgisar (to excuse) is the vus form, also used for polite address. Perdunai! has the same meaning

6. Buna saira!

   Good evening

   Usage

   Greeting for the evening. When saying goodnight at parting, use Buna notg

   Grammar Note

   saira is feminine, so the adjective is buna, not bun

7. Co vai cun Vus?

   How are you? (formal)

   Usage

   A polite way to ask how someone is. To friends say Co vai? or Co vai cun tai?

   Grammar Note

   Literally "how goes it with you". The polite second person is written with a capital Vus

8. A bainbaud!

   See you soon!

   Usage

   A goodbye when you expect to meet again soon

   Grammar Note

   A fixed expression made of a and bainbaud (soon)

9. Fa plaschair!

   Pleased to meet you

   Usage

   A greeting for a first meeting, said with a handshake. Fa plaschair means "it gives pleasure"

   Grammar Note

   Third person of far plaschair (to give pleasure), with the subject left out

10. Da nagut!

    Don't mention it

    Usage

    A reply to thanks. Fatg gugent! also works

    Grammar Note

    A fixed expression meaning "it is nothing"

11. Nua è la tualetta?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    A basic question for asking the way in stations and shops. Add a gesture for clarity

    Grammar Note

    The question word Nua comes first, then the verb è and the subject. tualetta is feminine

12. Jau na discur betg rumantsch.

    I can't speak Romansh

    Usage

    Tells people you do not speak Romansh. German is understood by practically everyone in Graubünden

    Grammar Note

    Negation is na + verb + betg. Discurrer is the verb for speaking a language and conjugates as jau discur. Composed sentence; native review recommended

13. Jau vegn a turnar.

    I will come back

    Usage

    A short phrase at the end of a trip to say you want to come again

    Grammar Note

    The future is built with vegnir a + infinitive (jau vegn a ...). Turnar means to come back

14. Jau hai gì grond plaschair.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Used to tell the people who hosted you that you enjoyed yourself

    Grammar Note

    The perfect of avair plaschair (to have pleasure): avair + participle gì. Composed sentence; native review recommended

15. Grazia, a bainbaud!

    Thanks, see you soon!

    Usage

    A casual greeting that combines thanks and goodbye

    Grammar Note

    Two set expressions joined together; there is no inflection

16. Buna notg!

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed or when parting at night

    Grammar Note

    notg is feminine, hence buna. Keep it apart from Buna saira (evening)

17. Jau vom ora per in mument.

    I'm heading out for a moment

    Usage

    What to say to a host or companion before stepping out for a short while

    Grammar Note

    Ir ora means to go out. Ir is irregular: jau vom. Composed sentence; native review recommended

18. Jau sun puspè qua.

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said when you return after being out

    Grammar Note

    Sun is the first person of esser (to be). Puspè means again. Composed sentence; native review recommended

19. Perstgisai, jau stoss ir ussa.

    Excuse me, I have to go now

    Usage

    A polite way to leave a conversation or a meal

    Grammar Note

    Stuair + infinitive means must; jau stoss is the first person. Composed sentence; native review recommended

20. Fatg gugent!

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply to thanks, meaning "gladly done"

    Grammar Note

    Fatg is the participle of far (to do). Gugent means gladly

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