What does the word Röstigraben mean?
Was bedeutet das Wort Röstigraben?
Correct answer: A
- A the cultural boundary between German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerlanddie kulturelle Grenze zwischen der deutschsprachigen und der französischsprachigen Schweiz
- B the Rhone Valleydas Rhonetal
- C the Aare Gorgedie Aareschlucht
- D the border between Switzerland and Germanydie Grenze zwischen der Schweiz und Deutschland
Why
The Röstigraben is not a real ditch. The word describes cultural differences between German-speaking Switzerland and Romandie. It is named after the German-Swiss dish Rösti.
Common mistakes
- D: the border between Switzerland and Germany
- The border with Germany is a national border, not a language or cultural boundary within Switzerland.
- B: the Rhone Valley
- The Rhone Valley is a real valley in Valais, not the Röstigraben.
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.
- German
- French
- Italian
- Romansh
Map data: BFS, BAFU, swisstopo
Switzerland at a glance
The four national languages
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 288 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.