Bavarian Farewell: Unique Ways To Say Goodbye

If you're planning a trip to Bavaria, it's worth familiarising yourself with some of the local phrases. Bavarian German is a dialect distinct from standard German, and even native German speakers can struggle to understand it. Bavarians are proud of their unique dialect, but they also want to be understood by other German speakers, so they will often try to speak more clearly when around non-Bavarians.

There are several ways to say 'bye' in Bavarian, depending on the context and how formal you want to be. Here are some of the most common phrases:

- Servus – This is the Bavarian way of saying hello or goodbye in informal contexts.

- Pfiate – This is used as a casual goodbye with people you're on a first-name basis with. It can also mean 'to get lost', so be careful with your tone!

- Auf Wiedersehen – This is a very formal way of saying goodbye, meaning 'until we see again'.

- Auf Wiederhören – Use this one to say goodbye on the phone, meaning 'until we hear each other again'.

- Bis bald – This is an informal way of saying 'see you soon'.

- Bis später – This means 'see you later' and is used when you expect to see the person later that day, that week, or anytime soon.

- Ciao – Borrowed from Italian, this is a very informal way to say goodbye, especially among younger people.

- Mach's gut – This is a warmer way of saying goodbye than a simple 'bye', and implies a sincere wish for the other person's well-being.

'Servus' is a Bavarian way to say hello or goodbye

Servus is a common greeting in the Bavarian dialect zone of Austria and Bavaria. It is a shortening of the Latin phrase "I am your servant", which is similar to the English phrase "at your service". The Latin phrase, "servus humillimus, domine spectabilis", translates to "your most humble servant, my noble lord".

Servus is used as an informal greeting in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Austria, Südtirol, Slovenia, Hungary, and Romania. It is also used as a parting salutation or both, depending on the region and context. In Hungarian, shortened versions of szervusz, such as szevasz, szeva, szia, and szió, are commonly used.

In German, the word is spelled servus, and it is used in South Germany, Austria, and South Tyrol. In Bavarian, it can also be spelled servas. The use of servus is largely confined to South Germany, including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Palatinate, and middle and southern Hesse.

Despite its formal origins, servus is now used as an informal greeting in Bavaria and other German-speaking regions. It is one of the many variations of greetings in the Bavarian dialect, which also include Grüß Gott, Grüß dich, and Guten Tag.

'Pfiate' is used to say goodbye to people you're on a first-name basis with

Pfiate, or pfiat di, is a casual way to say goodbye to someone you're on a first-name terms with in Bavaria. It is derived from the phrase "Behüte dich Gott" or "Gott behüte dich", which means "May God protect you".

The phrase is used in southern Germany, including in Austria and Bavaria. It is also used in more religious contexts, as it asks God to protect the person.

Pfiate is a more informal version of the phrase, and it's important to pay attention to your tone when using it. It can also be used as a way of telling someone to "get lost", so be mindful of this when using it.

Bavaria has a distinct dialect from standard German, and even native German speakers can struggle to understand it. Bavarians are proud of their unique dialect but also want to be understood by other German speakers.

'Seavus' or 'Servus' can mean either hello or goodbye

When it comes to learning German, you should know that Bavarian German is a dialect distinct from standard German. Even native German speakers have difficulty understanding the dialect. If you plan to stay in Bavaria for a while or travel throughout the region, you should probably familiarize yourself with the Bavarian German dialect.

Bavarian German is primarily spoken rather than written. Most individuals would write in Hochdeutsch even if they spoke Bavarian in everyday life. Bavarian German doesn't have a written form, and many Bavarian terms are spelled phonetically rather than using official spelling.

Even in a large city like Munich, many people speak Bavarian rather than Hochdeutsch. When natives realize you're a tourist or are having trouble understanding, they generally switch to Hochdeutsch.

Seavus or Servus can mean either hello or goodbye

In Bavaria, Grias god means Grüß Gott and is the most common greeting. Seavus or Servus can mean either hello or goodbye.

Servus is more regional, commonly used in Bavaria and Austria. It can serve as both a greeting and a farewell in informal contexts.

In a fictional travel situation in Bavaria, Germany, you might say:

> Servus, bis zum nächsten Mal! (Bye, until next time!)

If you want to say hello, you could say:

> Seavus Grias god Grias di Moizaid (mealtime greeting)

Other ways to say goodbye in Bavaria

There are other ways to say goodbye in Bavaria, including:

• Pfiate—used to say goodbye to people you're on a first-name basis with.
• Bfiad di (informal)
• Bfiad aih (plural)
• Af vidašaung (formal)
• Vidašaung (formal)
• Bfiad god
• Ade—more commonly used in Swabia
• Tschüss—although understood, this seems too foreign for true Bavarians

'Tschüss' is a casual way to say bye

When saying goodbye in Bavaria, it's important to know that the Bavarian dialect differs significantly from standard German. Even native German speakers can struggle to understand it. So, if you're planning to spend some time in Bavaria, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with some typical Bavarian phrases.

Now, onto saying "bye". "Tschüss" is a casual way to say goodbye in German, including in Bavaria. It's the equivalent of "bye" in English and can be used in almost any situation, whether you're speaking to friends, family, or acquaintances. If you want to make it a little cuter or more familiar, you can add an "i" at the end and say "Tschüssi".

However, it's worth noting that, according to some sources, "Tschüss" is not used as often in Bavaria and may seem too foreign for true Bavarians. So, if you want to fully embrace the local culture, you might want to use alternative phrases.

• "Servus" is commonly used in Bavaria and Austria and can serve as both a greeting and a farewell.
• "Pfiate" is used with people you're on a first-name basis with, but be careful with your tone as it can also mean "to get lost" in a derogatory sense.
• "Seavus" or "Bfiad di/Bfiad aih/Bfiad god" are informal ways to say goodbye.
• "Af vidašaung" or "Vidašaung" are more formal ways to bid farewell.
• "Ade" is derived from the French "adieu" and is a casual way to say goodbye, more commonly used in southern Germany due to its proximity to France.
• "Auf Wiedersehen" is a very formal way of saying goodbye and is best suited for professional settings or when you don't expect to see the person again anytime soon.
• "Bis bald" or "Auf bald" are optimistic goodbyes, indicating that you'll meet again soon.

'Ciao' is a common way to say bye in Bavaria

Ciao is a common way to say goodbye in Bavaria, but it's not the only one. While ciao is a loanword from Italian, there are several other ways to say goodbye in Bavarian, a dialect of German.

Bavarian is distinct from standard German and is primarily spoken rather than written. It is mostly spoken in the region where Bavaria and Austria meet, and even native German speakers can have difficulty understanding it.

• Servus (also used as a greeting)
• Ade (from the French 'adieu')
• Pfiate (used with people you're on a first-name basis with)
• Auf Wiederschauen (used in some parts of Bavaria instead of Auf Wiedersehen)
• Tschüss (very informal, not recommended for use in Bavaria)
• Bfiad di (informal)
• Bfiad aih (plural form of Bfiad di)
• Af vidašaung (formal)
• Vidašaung (formal)
• Kim guad o (have a good trip)

Bavaria is a large region with many different dialects, so the way you say goodbye can vary depending on where you are.

Frequently asked questions