Lexi Webster
Austrian German has a variety of unique phrases and slang terms that differ from standard German. While Germany and Austria share the same national language, there are fundamental differences in how they use it. Austrians have their own phrases and slang for various situations, from greetings to hangover cures. For instance, Austrians prefer Grüß Gott to Guten Tag when greeting people, and a small beer is called a Seidel or Seiterl. Understanding these nuances can help foreigners better navigate Austrian culture and society.
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Greeting people
If you're greeting someone before 10 a.m., it's common to say "Guten Morgen", just like in Germany. This can be shortened to "Morgen", and pronounced as "Moagn". For the rest of the day, Austrians typically use "Grüß Gott", which translates to "Greet God", and is a more traditional and formal greeting. "Guten Tag" and "Guten Abend" are not used as commonly. In informal contexts, you can use "Hallo", "Servus", or "Grüß dich".
If you want to make a good impression on older Austrians, "Grüß Gott" is a great choice. For younger Austrians, "Servus" (or "Servas"/"Seas") is a charming greeting. When you're outside the city or hiking, "Griaß di" ("Griaß enk"/"Griaß eich" in the plural) is a good option.
When saying goodbye, "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen" are formal, while "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di" are more commonly used among friends and family. "Servus" can also be used as a casual way to say goodbye.
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Ordering drinks
Austrians have their own German phrases and slang for various situations, including ordering drinks. While you can get by in Austria with basic German words, Austrians appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to understand the local language.
Coffee
In Austria, you never order just coffee—they will know you are a tourist. There are several different types of coffee, which also vary from region to region. A proper coffee in Austria is served with a glass of water, and a spoon to stir the coffee is placed on the edges of the water glass. When serving a glass of water with coffee, it shows the guest how much they are valued.
- Fiaker: Coffee with a shot of Austrian rum and whipped cream, named after horse-and-carriages.
- Mazagran: A cold Fiaker-variation with coffee, ice, a shot of rum, and possibly a bit of sugar.
- Verlängerter: A diluted, weaker, but larger version of the Großer Brauner, typically served with milk. It means "extended one".
- Schwarzer or Mokka: Strong, black coffee, normally consumed with a lot of sugar, but served without.
- Kurzer or Espresso: The Austrian term for "short one", which has become less common in recent years, with espresso more widely used.
- Türkischer: Meaning "Turkish one", this is Turkish-style coffee—grated coffee boiled for a long time in water with sugar and served as a very hot, strong coffee with the grains still in the cup.
Beer
As of 2020, Austria was the country with the second-highest beer consumption per capita in the world, at 96.8 litres. Here are some useful phrases and words for ordering beer:
- Eine Halbe Bier, or in dialect A Hoibe: "Half a litre of beer".
- I hätt gern a Hoibe, bitte!: "I'd like a large beer, please!"
- A small beer is called a Seidel or Seiterl.
- Reperaturseidl: A small beer consumed after a long night out to prevent a hangover.
Wine
Austria has been making wine since 700 BC. Although its vineyards produce both white and red wine, they are more famous for their dry white wines, particularly those made from Grüner Veltliner grapes, which currently cover 37% of Austria's vineyards. Here is a useful phrase for ordering wine:
Weißen Spritzer: "Wine spritzer".
Tea
A third of Austrians enjoy a cup of tea per day, with the country's tea market forecast to grow annually by 8.6% between 2021 and 2025. Austrians tend to prefer herbal and fruit infusions, followed by black and green tea.
Cocktails
The Hugo Cocktail is a variation of the Kaiserspritzer but less sweet, making it a perfect summertime drink. It is made by mixing prosecco with elderflower syrup and then adding a few mint leaves and some ice.
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Ordering food
Making a Reservation
It's always a good idea to make a reservation, especially at smaller local restaurants where the staff may not speak English. To reserve a table in Austrian German, you can say, "Kann ich einen Tisch reservieren, bitte?" ("Can I please reserve a table?"). If you're dining with a group, specify the number of people: "Haben Sie Platz für zwei? / drei? / vier?" ("Do you have space for two? / three? / four?").
Greeting and Ordering
When you arrive at the restaurant, you usually find your own seat unless the staff guides you to a table. In Austrian German, you can greet the waiter/waitress formally with "Entschuldigen Sie bitte" ("Excuse me"). To order drinks, you can say, "Ich hätt gern a Hoibe, bitte!" ("I'd like a large beer, please!"). For water, say, "Können wir mehr Wasser haben, bitte?" ("Can we have more water, please?").
Austrian Specialties
Austria has its own unique cuisine and specialties. Some traditional Austrian dishes you might come across include "Knödel" (dumplings), "Käsekuchen" (cheesecake), and "Kaiserschmarren" (a baked dish made from pancake pieces). For a true Austrian experience, try ordering these local specialties.
Paying the Bill
When you've finished your meal, it's time to ask for the bill. In Austrian German, you would say, "Zahlen bitte" ("I'd like to pay"). Austrians don't usually leave money on the table; instead, they pay the waiting staff directly. You'll also be asked if you want to pay separately ("getrennt") or all together ("zusammen"). Tipping is appreciated, but it's not as common as in some other countries since service workers are not dependent on tips for their wages.
Remember, Austrians appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to speak their language. So, go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy the delicious rewards of navigating the Austrian dining scene!
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Expressing agreement
While the Austrian national language is German, there are fundamental differences in how it is used compared to German in the Federal Republic of Germany. So, if you're looking to express agreement in Austrian German, there are some nuances to be aware of.
Firstly, it's important to understand the context and the level of formality required. The expressions used to agree with someone in Austrian German vary from informal to very formal contexts, so choosing the right phrase is essential. For example, when speaking to someone older or in a more formal setting, you might want to use a more polite phrase.
Now, let's look at some common phrases used to express agreement in Austrian German:
- "Ja" is the most straightforward way to say "yes". You can use it to confirm or agree with someone. For example, "Möchtest du ein Stück Kuchen? Ja, gerne!" ("Would you like a piece of cake? Yes, please!")
- "Genau" translates to "exactly" and is used when you strongly agree with someone or something they said. For instance, "Das ist genau, was ich auch denke" ("That's exactly what I think").
- "Stimmt" means "that's true" or "that's right". It's a common and informal way to agree with someone. You could say, "Es ist wirklich kalt heute. Stimmt!" ("It's really cold today. That's right!")
- "Voll und ganz" means "fully and completely" and is used to express strong and complete agreement. For example, "Ich unterstütze deine Entscheidung voll und ganz" ("I fully support your decision").
- "Da muss ich Ihnen/dir zustimmen" translates to "I have to agree with you on that one".
- "Ich denke, du hast recht" means "I think you're right".
- "Darüber sind wir uns einig" is used to say "we are in agreement on this".
- "Richtig!" is an exclamation of "right!" or "correct!".
- "Sicher" means "sure" and shows agreement.
These phrases will help you express agreement in Austrian German, but remember to consider the context and the level of formality required in each situation.
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Saying goodbye
When it comes to saying goodbye in Austrian German, there are several phrases you can use depending on the context and who you're talking to.
If you're in a formal setting, such as a business meeting or when speaking to a colleague, it's best to go with "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen". These phrases are the most formal ways to say goodbye in Austrian German and are appropriate in situations where you want to leave a good impression.
In informal settings, like saying goodbye to friends or family, you can use "Tschüss" or "Pfiat di". "Tschüss" is widely used and is considered one of the most basic and useful phrases to know in Austrian German. "Tschau" or "Ciao", which comes from Italian, is also commonly used as a casual way to say goodbye, especially when sending off friends or family for an outing or holiday.
Another friendly phrase to say goodbye is "Servus", which is common across much of Central Europe, including Southern Germany and Austria. It comes from the Latin "servus", meaning "at your service". "Servus" can be used as a greeting or to say goodbye and is more appropriate in informal contexts.
Additionally, there are other ways to express goodbye in Austrian German depending on the time of day or specific context. For example, "Gute Nacht" means "good night", and "Bis bald/Bis später" means "see you soon/later". "Viel Spaß", meaning "have fun", can be used when someone is leaving to do something enjoyable. "Schönen Tag noch", or "have a great day", is a polite way to part ways in the earlier part of the day.
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Frequently asked questions
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