'Frauen-Nati' Crowned Swiss-German Word of the Year 2025

In a reflection of a landmark year for Swiss sports and culture, 'Frauen-Nati' has been officially crowned the Swiss-German Word of the Year for 2025. The announcement, made by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), places the affectionate term for the women's national football team at the forefront of the nation's public discourse. The selection underscores a year where the team captured headlines and hearts, particularly during the UEFA Women's Euro hosted in Switzerland. This choice highlights the growing prominence of women's sports and its impact on language and national identity.

The prominence of 'Frauen-Nati' surged during the summer's UEFA European Football Championship, held on home soil. The term, a colloquial and endearing name for the team, became a linguistic staple in news reports, social media, and everyday conversations. According to the ZHAW, the selection is based on words that have been used significantly more often than in previous years. The success and high visibility of the national team during the tournament cemented 'Frauen-Nati' in the collective consciousness, making it a symbol of national pride and the rising status of women's football in Switzerland.

While 'Frauen-Nati' celebrated a sporting triumph, the runners-up for Word of the Year reflect the more contentious political and economic debates that shaped 2025. In second place came 'Zollhammer' (tariff hammer), a direct reference to the 39% tariff initially imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump, which has since been reduced to 15%. Following in third was 'Chlorhuhn' (chlorine chicken), a term that entered the lexicon amid fierce debates over a new trade agreement with the US. It refers to chlorine-treated chicken, a practice common in American agriculture but not permitted under Swiss regulations, symbolizing broader concerns about food safety and import standards.

The ZHAW's annual selection serves as a linguistic mirror, reflecting the topics that have most preoccupied Swiss society. Linguists analyse a vast collection of text data to identify words that are either new, have taken on a new meaning, or have seen a significant spike in usage. This year's choices paint a clear picture of a nation engaged with international sports, global trade negotiations, and the complexities of foreign policy. The contrast between the celebratory 'Frauen-Nati' and the cautionary 'Zollhammer' and 'Chlorhuhn' encapsulates the diverse and often competing narratives of the year.

Switzerland's multilingual identity is showcased in the diverse choices for Word of the Year across its different linguistic regions. While German-speakers celebrated their football team, French-speaking Switzerland selected 'Génocide' (genocide), reflecting a focus on grave international affairs. In the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, 'Dazi' (customs duties) took the top spot, echoing the trade concerns seen with 'Zollhammer'. Meanwhile, the Romansh-speaking community chose 'IA', the abbreviation for artificial intelligence, highlighting the pervasive influence of technology. These varied selections demonstrate the distinct yet interconnected discourses occurring across the country.