Swiss Passport

Which language is spoken in the canton of Ticino?

Welche Sprache spricht man im Kanton Tessin?

Correct answer: C

  1. A RomanshRätoromanisch
  2. B FrenchFranzösisch
  3. C ItalianItalienisch
  4. D GermanDeutsch

Why

Ticino lies south of the Alps, on the border with Italy. There, Italian is the only official language.

Common mistakes

A: Romansh
Romansh is spoken in Graubünden, not in Ticino.

Topic

Language regions and the Röstigraben

Each national language has its region. German-speaking Switzerland is in the north, the centre and the east. French-speaking Switzerland in the west is called Romandie or Welschland. In Ticino and in some southern valleys of Graubünden people speak Italian. Romansh is spoken only in parts of Graubünden.

Language regions and the Röstigraben
    • German
    • French
    • Italian
    • Romansh

    Map data: BFS, BAFU, swisstopo

    Switzerland at a glance
    The four national languages

    Sources

    Last checked: September 2026

    Question 286 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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