Greetings In Austria: The Many Ways To Say Hello

Austrians speak a dialect variation of standard High German, and there are several ways to say hello in Austrian German. The most common greeting is “Servus”, but “Grias di” or “Grüss dich” (meaning “I greet you”) are also used, with different regions and valleys having their own variations. “Grüß Gott” is a formal greeting, and “Hallo” is a more neutral greeting that is always acceptable.

Formal greetings include 'Guten Morgen' (good morning), 'Guten Tag' (good day) and 'Guten Abend' (good evening)

Greeting someone in Austria is dependent on the time of day, the context, and the people involved. Formal greetings in Austria include Guten Morgen ('good morning'), Guten Tag ('good day'), and Guten Abend ('good evening'). These verbal salutations are often accompanied by a handshake. When shaking hands, it is customary to follow an order of priority, starting with the eldest or most superior person in the room. If there is a noticeable difference in authority between two people, the higher-ranking or older person typically extends their hand first. Handshakes are also common when someone is leaving.

Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, and Guten Abend are formal greetings used in business or social settings where you are expected to greet everyone—men, women, and children—by shaking hands. In less formal contexts, such as among friends and family, people may use casual greetings like Hallo or Servus (which translates to 'your servant' in Latin). Friends and family may also greet each other with a light hug and two kisses on the cheek, or use casual greetings like Griaß di or Grüß dich ('I greet you').

The use of formal titles is also important during introductions in Austria. For example, one might address someone as 'Doktor' or use titles such as 'Herr' and 'Frau' with last names. First names are typically reserved for close friends, family, and youth.

In addition to time-based greetings like Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, and Guten Abend, Austrians also have a variety of other formal and informal greetings. Grüß Gott ('God bless you' or 'God's greeting'), for example, is a formal and polite greeting often used to acknowledge someone in passing on the street.

Greeting with a handshake is customary

In a business or social setting, you should shake hands with everyone present, including men, women, and children. Shake hands with women before men, and shake hands again when leaving. In general, the higher-ranking or older person typically extends their hand first.

When greeting someone, it is important to use appropriate titles and surnames until you are invited to use their first name. In German, this would be "Herr" (Mr) or "Frau" (Mrs or Ms), followed by the person's professional title and surname. For example, "Herr Doctor Bauer" or "Frau Doctor Bauer". Once you get to know someone better, you can drop the surname and address them using "Herr" or "Frau" and their professional title.

It is worth noting that some older Viennese men may kiss the hand of a woman, which is a traditional greeting. However, a foreign man should not kiss the hand of an Austrian woman, as it may be unexpected and possibly shocking to her.

Austrians greet friends and family casually with 'Hallo' or 'Servus'

Greeting people in Austria varies depending on the context and the people involved. Austrians greet friends and family casually with "Hallo" or "Servus", which both mean "hi". "Servus" is also used as a greeting by teenagers and is one of the few historical words that are still widely used by them. It is also a popular greeting in Austria and Bavaria in Germany, and can be used to say both "hello" and goodbye. The word is derived from the Latin "servus", meaning "slave" or "servant".

In more formal situations, Austrians may greet each other with "Grüss Gott", which means "God greets you" or God bless you. This is a widespread greeting in the Catholic German-speaking world, including Austria, the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and South Tyrol. It is primarily used by religiously influenced or conservative people, or those living in rural areas.

Other formal greetings include "Guten Tag" ("good day"), "Guten Morgen" ("good morning"), and "Guten Abend" ("good evening"). However, these are considered Hochdeutsch (High German) and many Austrians prefer to use regional dialect instead.

When greeting friends and family, women may greet each other with a light hug and two kisses, one on each cheek.

'Grüß Gott' is a formal, polite greeting, literally meaning 'Greet God'

In Austria, there are several different ways to greet someone. One of the most common greetings is "Grüß Gott", which is a formal, polite greeting used to acknowledge someone. The phrase directly translates to "Greet God" or "God greets you", and is similar in meaning to "God bless you". While it is not as religious as it once was, the phrase does originate from the religious greeting "grüß dich Gott" or "(may) God bless (you)".

The greeting is common in the Catholic German-speaking area, including Austria, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and South Tyrol. It is also widespread in Southern Germany, with an epicentre in Schwaben. The phrase is used in everyday life and in official communications, and is often favoured over "guten Tag" ('good day').

The use of "Grüß Gott" has sparked some debate in Austrian politics, with the more conservative, religiously influenced politicians favouring this greeting over the more secular "guten Tag", preferred by the left-oriented politicians. The debate reflects the strained relationship between the two main political parties in Austria and highlights how a simple greeting can be viewed as a symbol of ideology.

The pronunciation of "Grüß Gott" varies across regions, with different contractions and variations used. In Bavaria and Austria, for example, "griaß di" and "griaß eich" are commonly heard, although their Standard German equivalents are also used.

'Grias di' or 'Grüss dich' mean 'I greet you'

Greeting someone in Austria is usually accompanied by a handshake, which is considered the most common and courteous greeting. However, when it comes to saying "hello" in Austrian, there are a variety of expressions you can use. "Grüß Gott" (pronounced [ɡʁyːs ˈɡɔt]), which means "God bless you", is a common greeting in Austria and Southern Germany. It is a shortened form of "grüße dich Gott" or "grüße euch Gott", which translates to "may God greet you" or "God bless you". While it has a religious connotation, the phrase is used casually in everyday life and even in official communications.

Now, "Grias di" or "Grüß dich" is the more informal version of "Grüß Gott", commonly heard in Bavaria and Austria. It is a more casual way of saying "I greet you" or "God greet you". "Grias di" is considered more informal and is used when addressing someone you are familiar with. It is the equivalent of saying "Hi" or Hello in English.

In a conversation on an Austrian Reddit forum, users discuss the use of "Grias di" as a greeting. One user mentions that they used "Grias di" as a normal greeting to someone who greeted them with "Hallo", and they wonder if it is considered rude or impolite. Other users chime in, sharing their experiences and perspectives on the greeting. Some users agree that "Grias di" is a perfectly acceptable greeting, while others suggest that it may be considered too casual or even disrespectful in certain contexts. The discussion highlights the varying perceptions of the greeting "Grias di" among Austrians, with some considering it a normal part of their vocabulary and others viewing it as inappropriate or associated with a particular social group.

In summary, "Grias di" or "Grüß dich" is an informal and friendly way of saying "I greet you" in Austrian. It is the shortened version of "Grüß Gott", commonly used in Bavaria and Austria. While it is a casual greeting, the perceptions of its appropriateness may vary among different age groups and social circles in Austria.

Frequently asked questions