Swiss confederate / Swiss citizen
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Swiss citizen
A citizen of Switzerland; a term for a Swiss person.
Als stolzer Eidgenosse feiert er den Schweizer Nationalfeiertag am ersten August.
As a proud Swiss citizen, he celebrates Swiss National Day on the first of August.
confederate
In a historical context, a member of the Old Swiss Confederacy, the alliance from which Switzerland emerged.
Der Legende nach trafen sich die drei Eidgenossen zum Schwur auf dem Rütli.
According to legend, the three confederates met to swear their oath on the Rütli.
The word is made up of 'Eid' (a solemn promise, oath) and 'Genosse' (a comrade or partner). An 'Eidgenosse' is therefore literally an 'oath comrade', which goes back to Switzerland's historical origin as an alliance.
Die Geschichte der Eidgenossen beginnt mit einem Bündnis.
The history of the Swiss confederates begins with an alliance.
'Eidgenosse' is a masculine noun of the N-declension. This means it takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular.
Ich habe mit einem Eidgenossen über Politik gesprochen.
I talked with a Swiss citizen about politics.
As a term for a Swiss person, 'Eidgenosse' is often used in an official, journalistic, or slightly ceremonial tone. It is rather rare in everyday conversation.
Die Zeitung berichtete über den Erfolg des jungen Eidgenossen.
The newspaper reported on the success of the young Swiss citizen.
Swiss
As an unchanging adjective, Schweizer describes the origin or affiliation of a following noun. Eidgenosse, by contrast, is a noun and directly refers to a citizen of Switzerland. Therefore, Schweizer is used to describe a person, while Eidgenosse names the person themselves.
Ein Eidgenosse begrüßte die Gäste am Bahnhof.
A Swiss citizen greeted the guests at the station.
Ein Schweizer Bürger begrüßte die Gäste am Bahnhof.
A Swiss citizen greeted the guests at the station.
