Eine Gute Reise Nach Österreich: Tipps Und Tricks

If you want to wish someone a good trip in Austrian German, there are several ways to do so depending on the level of formality and your relationship with the person you're addressing. For a formal setting, you could say Gute Reise, which is widely used and can be applied to any German-speaking region. Alternatively, you could say Ich wünsche Ihnen eine gute Reise, meaning I wish you a good trip, or Möge deine Reise sicher sein, which translates to May your trip be safe. If you're addressing a friend or family member, you could say Schönen Urlaub, which means Have a good vacation, or Viel Spaß im Urlaub, which conveys a sense of excitement with the meaning Have fun on your trip.

Greeting people (Hallo)

Greeting people in Austria is a great way to connect with locals and feel more immersed in the local culture. While German is the official language of Austria, there are some unique variations and phrases that are commonly used in the country. Here are some tips and suggestions for greeting people ("Hallo") in Austria:

Greeting People in Formal Settings

When greeting people in formal settings or when addressing strangers, it is important to maintain a level of formality. Austrians value formality and courtesy, so using appropriate titles and a respectful tone is essential. Here are some phrases you can use:

• "Grüß Gott" – This is a common greeting in Austria, similar to "hello" or "hi" in English. It is often used when entering shops or restaurants and is considered more formal than "hallo."
• "Servus" – This is another formal greeting that can be used to greet strangers or people you don't know well. It is similar in usage to "Grüß Gott."
• "Schönen Tag noch" – This phrase means "have a nice day" and is a polite way to wish someone well during the day.
• "Schönes Wochenende" – Meaning "have a nice weekend," this greeting is often used on Fridays or when parting ways before the weekend.

Greeting People in Informal Settings

In informal settings, such as with friends or family, Austrians may use more casual greetings. These greetings are more intimate and friendly, reflecting the closeness of the relationship. Here are some examples:

• "Hallo" – While "hallo" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is often used among friends and family as a casual greeting.
• "Baba" – This is an informal way of saying goodbye, similar to "see you soon" in English. It is commonly used among friends and is more casual than "auf wiedersehen."
• "Bussi, Baba!" – This phrase means "kisses, see you later" and is a playful and affectionate way to part with someone.
• "Oida" – Primarily used in Vienna, this slang term is the equivalent of saying "dude!" It conveys excitement, surprise, or annoyance, depending on the context.

Greeting People in Business Settings

When greeting people in a business context, it is important to maintain a level of professionalism and formality. Austrians value titles and academic achievements, so be sure to use them when addressing people. Here are some tips:

• Always shake hands – Austrians place importance on shaking hands, even among friends and relatives. When greeting a group of people, be sure to shake hands with everyone in the room, including children.
• Use titles and surnames – In business settings, it is customary to address people by their titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.) and surnames. Only when you have established a closer relationship or have been given explicit permission may you switch to using first names.
• Greet unknown persons – In smaller towns and rural areas, it is customary to greet unknown persons you encounter on the street. A simple nod, eye contact, and a greeting like "Grüss Gott" or "Servus" are appropriate.

Cultural Differences to Keep in Mind

When greeting people in Austria, it is important to be mindful of cultural differences to avoid any misunderstandings or insults. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Austrians value tradition and formality – While Austrians are friendly and open, they also appreciate formality and respect for traditions. Greeting people with a handshake and using appropriate titles are important aspects of Austrian culture.
• Avoid leaning over a table to shake hands – When greeting a group of people, walk around the table and shake each person's hand by standing in front of them.
• Be mindful of personal space – Austrians generally respect personal space, and it is not common to hug or touch during greetings, except for close friends or family who may "kiss" each other on the cheek (ladies with ladies and men with ladies).
• Dress elegantly – In business and formal settings, Austrians dress elegantly and pay attention to their appearance. Well-groomed attire is expected, especially when representing your company outside the office.

Saying goodbye (Auf Wiedersehen)

Saying goodbye in Austria is similar to saying goodbye in Germany, but there are some differences.

The formal way of saying goodbye in Austrian German is "Auf Wiedersehen", which is the same as in German. However, if you want to add an Austrian touch, you can say "Auf Wiederschauen".

In an informal context, there are several ways to say goodbye. "Servus", which is also used as a greeting, is an informal way to say goodbye. "Priat di" and "Pfiat di" are also charming ways to say bye. Among friends and family, it is common to use "Tschüss", just like in Germany.

Ordering food and drinks

Ordering Food

When you enter a restaurant in Austria, you might be greeted with the phrase "Grüß Gott", which is a casual greeting similar to "hallo" in German or "hi" in English. To order food, you can start by saying "Ich hätte gerne..." or "Ich möchte...", which both mean "I would like...". You can then proceed to order specific dishes. For example, if you want to order a Schnitzel and a beer, you could say "Ein Schnitzel und ein Bier, bitte." If you're a vegetarian, you might want to try "Käsknöpfle", cheese-laden egg noodle dumplings, by saying "Ich hätte gerne Käsknöpfle." If you're feeling adventurous, try some of the unique Austrian dishes like "Marillenknödel" (apricot dumplings) or "Tafelspitz" (boiled beef). Simply point to the dish on the menu and say "Das, bitte."

Asking for the Menu

If you need to ask for the menu, you can say "Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte haben?". This is a polite way of requesting the menu. Austrians value politeness, so it's always good to use phrases like "bitte" (please) and "danke" (thank you). If you want to take a look at the desserts, you can ask for the menu again by saying "Kann ich bitte die Menükarte noch einmal sehen, um ein Dessert auszusuchen?". This shows that you're interested in exploring the menu further.

Ordering Drinks

Ordering drinks in Austria can be a delightful experience. If you're in a wine tavern (Heuriger), you might want to order an "Achterl", a small glass of wine, by saying "Ein Achterl Wein, bitte." For beer lovers, you can order "Ein Bier, bitte" for a refreshing pint. Coffee culture is also vibrant in Austria. To order a coffee, you might say "Ich hätte gerne einen Kaffee." If you're feeling fancy, try a "Wiener Melange" (similar to a café latte) or a "Kleiner Brauner" (espresso with a side of milk). Austrians take their coffee rituals seriously, so feel free to relax and indulge in the experience.

Paying the Bill

After you've enjoyed your meal, it's time to pay the bill. You can signal to the waiter by making eye contact and saying "Die Rechnung, bitte." This means "the bill, please." If you want to pay with cash, you can say "Ich zahle bar." Alternatively, if you prefer to pay by card, you can say "Ich zahle mit Karte." It's considered polite to leave a small tip, usually around 5-10% of the total bill.

Useful Phrases

• "Wo ist die Toilette?" (Where is the toilet?)
• "Haben Sie vegetarische/vegane Optionen?" (Do you have vegetarian/vegan options?)
• "Was empfehlen Sie?" (What do you recommend?)
• "Das schmeckt lecker!" (This tastes delicious!)
• "Danke für das Essen, es war köstlich!" (Thank you for the food, it was delicious!)

Remember, Austrians appreciate it when you try to speak their language, so don't be shy to use these phrases and immerse yourself in the culinary delights of Austria!

Asking for the bill (Rechnung, bitte)

When you're ready to ask for the bill at a restaurant in Austria, there are a few ways to do so in German. One option is to say, "Die Rechnung, bitte!", which directly translates to "The bill, please!". You can also say, "Herr Ober, die Rechnung, bitte!", which is similar but includes "waiter" to get the attention of the server.

If you're paying with cash, you can say, "I zoi in bar", and if you're paying with a credit or debit card, you can say, "I zoi mit da Koartn".

It's worth noting that while German is the official language of Austria, there are many dialects and variations in informal conversations. So, depending on where you are in Austria, you may hear or need to use different phrases to ask for the bill.

Asking for directions

While German is widely spoken in Austria, there are some differences in the language used in Austria and Germany. So, if you're asking for directions in Austria, here are some phrases that might be useful:

Firstly, to get someone's attention, you can say:

• Formal: Entschuldigen Sie bitte! (Excuse me, please!)
• Informal: Entschuldige bitte!

Then, to ask for directions to a specific place, you can say:

• Formal: Können Sie mir bitte sagen, wo [place] ist? (Can you please tell me where [place] is?)
• Informal: Kannst du mir bitte sagen, wo [place] ist?

For example, if you're looking for the train station, you can ask:

• Formal: Wissen Sie, wo der Bahnhof ist? (Do you know where the train station is?)
• Informal: Weißt du, wo der Bahnhof ist?

When asking about direction or motion, use wohin instead of wo. For example, to ask someone how to get to the airport, you can say:

Wie komme ich zum Flughafen? (How do I get to the airport?)

To ask someone to repeat or clarify their directions, you can say:

• Bitte wiederholen Sie. (Please repeat.)
• Kannst du das bitte wiederholen? (Can you repeat that, please?)
• Kannst du das bitte erklären? (Can you explain that, please?)

If you want to confirm that you're heading in the right direction, you can ask:

Ist das richtig? (Is that right?)

To understand the directions you're given, here are some key phrases and words:

• Geradeaus (Straight ahead)
• Rechts (Right)
• Links (Left)
• Die nächste Straße (The next street)
• Die übernächste Straße (The street after next)
• Der Norden (North)
• Der Süden (South)
• Der Osten (East)
• Der Westen (West)

If you want to express your gratitude after receiving directions, you can say:

• Danke schön! (Thank you!)
• Vielen Dank! (Thanks a lot!)

Frequently asked questions