Saying Farewell The Austrian Way: A Guide To Goodbyes

If you're planning a trip to Austria, it's always a good idea to learn some local phrases, and one of the most important is how to say goodbye. While German and English are widely spoken in Austria, knowing some Austrian-specific phrases will help you feel more like a local and facilitate your integration into the local culture. The formal way of saying goodbye in Austrian German is Auf Wiedersehen or Auf Wiederschauen, with schauen being the Austrian word for to see and wieder meaning again. In Vienna, friends usually say goodbye with Servus, Ciao, Tschüss, Baba (pronounced like papa), or the dialectic expression Pfiat di. Austrians often string several of these together, for example, Ciao, Servus, Pfiat di!.

Formal ways to say goodbye in Austrian German

When saying goodbye in Austrian German, it's important to distinguish between formal and informal contexts. While certain expressions are suitable for friends and family, others are more appropriate when addressing strangers, older individuals, or individuals in positions of authority. Here are some formal ways to bid farewell in Austrian German:

• Auf Wiedersehen: This is the standard formal way to say goodbye in Austrian German. It translates to "until we see each other again".
• Auf Wiederschauen: This phrase is similar to "Auf Wiedersehen", with "schauen" being the Austrian word for "to see".
• Wiedersehen, Wiederhören (for phone conversations), or Wiederschauen: These are reserved for formal contexts and are used with people you don't know well or have just met.
• Schönen Tag/Abend noch or Schönes Wochenende: These phrases mean "Have a great day/evening" or "Have a great weekend", respectively, and are suitable for both formal and informal goodbyes.
• Ihnen auch: This phrase, meaning "you too", can be used as a polite response when someone wishes you a good day or weekend.

In Austrian German, it's essential to be mindful of the cultural expectations surrounding goodbyes. It's customary to individually bid farewell to each person present, which can lead to more extended departures. Additionally, multiple expressions of goodbye are often strung together, such as "Ciao, Servus, Pfiat di!".

Informal ways to say goodbye in Austrian German

There are several informal ways to say goodbye in Austrian German. Here are some of the most common expressions:

• Tschüss: This is the most common informal way to say goodbye in Austrian German. It is the equivalent of saying "bye" in English.
• Ciao: While this is originally an Italian word, it is also commonly used in Austrian German as an informal way to say goodbye.
• Baba: This is another informal expression for saying goodbye. It is often used in combination with other expressions, such as "Ciao, Baba" or "Tschüss, Baba".
• Pfiat di: This is a dialectic expression commonly used among friends and family in Austrian German to say goodbye.
• Servus: While "Servus" is also used as a greeting, it can also be used as an informal way to say goodbye.
• Schönen Tag/Abend noch: This phrase means "Have a great day/evening" and is suitable for both formal and informal goodbyes.
• Schönes Wochenende: This expression means "Have a great weekend" and is an informal way to bid farewell.
• Bis bald: This phrase literally means "until soon" and is used to say "see you soon" in an informal context.
• Wiedersehen or Wiederschauen: While these expressions are considered formal, they can also be used informally to say goodbye.

How to say goodbye to friends in Austrian German

While German is widely spoken in Austria, there are some differences in the way the language is used in everyday life. Here are some ways to say goodbye to your friends in Austrian German:

• Servus: This Latin word, meaning "your servant", is an informal way to say goodbye in Austrian German.
• Priat di: This is another charming way to say goodbye to your friends in Austrian German.
• Pfiat di: This is also a charming way to bid farewell to your friends.
• Ciao: While this is an Italian word, it is also commonly used as an informal greeting and goodbye among friends in Austrian German.
• Tschüss: This is a casual way to say goodbye to friends.
• Baba: This is often used together with "Ciao" to say goodbye.
• Bussi, Baba: This phrase, meaning "kisses, see you later", is another casual way to say goodbye.
• Auf Wiedersehen: This is the formal way of saying goodbye and is used more often with strangers. However, it can also be used in a formal context with friends.
• Auf Wiederschauen: This is another formal way of saying goodbye, with an Austrian twist.

How to say goodbye over the phone in Austrian German

Saying goodbye over the phone in Austrian German can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the context and your relationship with the person you're speaking to. Here are some common ways to end a phone call politely and casually:

• Auf Wiederhören: This phrase means "until we hear each other again". It is the equivalent of "Auf Wiedersehen" but is specifically used when speaking on the phone. This is a formal expression commonly used in office or customer service settings.
• Servus: This is a friendly and casual way to say goodbye in Austrian German. It is commonly used in Southern Germany and Austria. "Servus" can also be used as a greeting, similar to "hello".
• Tschüss: This is the standard, informal way to say "bye" in German. It is suitable for friends, colleagues, and casual acquaintances. However, it is not appropriate in formal business settings, where "Auf Wiederhören" or "Auf Wiedersehen" would be more fitting.
• Ciao or Tschau: This casual farewell is equivalent to "Tschüss". It is commonly used in Austria and southern Germany but can also be heard throughout German-speaking regions. It is derived from the Italian "ciao" and is only used as a departing farewell, not as a greeting.
• Bis bald or Bis später: These phrases mean "see you soon" or "see you later". They are casual and friendly ways to end a phone call, expressing the intention to speak to the person again soon. You can also add a specific time reference, such as "Bis morgen" (see you tomorrow) or "Bis Montag" (see you on Monday).
• Mach's gut: This expression means "take care" and can be added to other farewells to convey warmth. For example, you could say "Bis bald. Mach's gut!"
• Schönen Tag noch: This phrase, meaning "have a great day", is often used by store clerks and in other similar contexts. It is a polite and friendly way to end a conversation.

Remember that the choice of farewell depends on the context and your relationship with the person. Formal goodbyes like "Auf Wiederhören" and "Auf Wiedersehen" are suitable for business contexts or when speaking to strangers, while casual expressions like "Servus", "Tschüss", and "Ciao" are appropriate for friends, family, and acquaintances.

How to say goodbye in a rush in Austrian German

If you're in a rush and need to say goodbye to someone in Austrian German, there are several phrases you can use. Here are some options:

• "Tschüss" – This is the most common way to say "bye" in German and can be used in a variety of situations, whether you're saying farewell to a friend, colleague, or acquaintance.
• "Ciao" or "Tschau" – This is roughly equivalent to "tschüss" and is often used as a departing farewell. It's derived from the Italian "ciao" and is now commonly heard throughout German-speaking regions.
• "Servus" – This is another option for saying goodbye in Austrian German. It's also used as a greeting and is widely employed in southern Germany and Austria but not in northern Germany.
• "Pfiat di" – This is a dialectic expression used in Vienna as an informal way to bid someone farewell.

In a rush, you could combine these expressions, as Austrians often string several words together when saying goodbye, such as "Ciao, Servus, Pfiat di!"

Additionally, if you want to be extra casual and cute, you can add an "i" to "tschüss" to make it "tschüssi."

Frequently asked questions