Mastering The Art Of Farewells In Austrian German

how to say goodbye in austrian german

There are many ways to say goodbye in Austrian German, from casual expressions like Servus and Tschüss to more formal phrases like Auf Wiedersehen. Austrians tend to take their time when parting ways, and it is customary to say goodbye to each individual in the room. In addition to the standard goodbyes, there are also regional variations and slang terms used for farewells, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the country.

Characteristics Values
Common ways to say goodbye Tschüß, Bussi, Dickes Bussi, Ciao, Baba, Servus, Auf Wiedersehen, Mach's gut, Pass auf Dich auf, Hallöchen, Tschau
More formal ways to say goodbye Auf Wiedersehen
Ways to say goodnight Bis Dienstag, Mach's gut, Gute Nacht

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Formal vs informal goodbyes

When saying goodbye in Austrian German, there are a variety of options, from formal to informal, that you can use depending on the context and the person you're addressing.

Formal Goodbyes

Formal goodbyes in Austrian German include phrases like "Auf Wiedersehen", which means "until we see each other again" and is often used in business or customer service settings. It is considered a formal expression, similar to "cheers" in English, and is commonly used when speaking on the phone or addressing strangers or older people. Another formal way to say goodbye is "Wiederschauen", which is often used in Bavaria and Munich. "Pfüat Gott" is another formal goodbye, derived from the Latin "servus" (at your service), and is commonly used in southern Germany and Austria.

Informal Goodbyes

Informal goodbyes in Austrian German tend to be more casual and are typically used with friends, family, or acquaintances. Common informal phrases include "Tschüss" or "Tschüssi", which is a shortened version of "Auf Wiedersehen", as well as "Tschau", "Baba", "Ciao", and "Servus". "Viel Spaß" ("have fun"), "Bis bald" or "Bis später" ("see you soon" or "later"), and "Schönen Tag noch" ("have a great day") are also informal ways to bid farewell. Additionally, "Mach's gut" ("take care"), "Gute Nacht" ("good night"), and "Wir sehen uns" or "Man sieht sich" ("we'll see each other (again))" are informal goodbyes used in Austrian German.

Cultural Context

When saying goodbye in Austrian culture, it is customary to say farewell to each individual in the room, which can take a bit of time. Austrians tend to place importance on polite goodbyes and often engage in mini-conversations before parting ways. This cultural aspect adds a layer of warmth and connection to their farewells.

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Saying goodbye to friends

When it comes to saying goodbye to friends in Austrian German, there are several expressions you can use. The choice of phrase depends on various factors, such as the level of formality, the context, and the region. Here are some examples:

Informal Settings:

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "Tschüss", "Tschau", or "Ciao". These are widely used and suitable for saying goodbye to friends. "Tschau" is derived from the Italian "Ciao" and is commonly heard throughout German-speaking regions. "Tschüss" is also appropriate for colleagues and family members.

Casual Farewells:

If you're looking for a casual way to part ways with your friends, you can say "Bis bald" or "Bis später", which means "See you soon" or "See you later". You can also add a touch of warmth with phrases like "Viel Spaß" ("Have fun") or "Schönen Tag noch" ("Have a great day").

Formal Settings:

In more formal situations, the standard phrase is "Auf Wiedersehen", which translates to "Until we see each other again". This is commonly used in business settings or formal contexts, such as at a bank or when making major purchases.

Regional Variations:

Regional variations also come into play when saying goodbye in Austrian German. For example, "Servus" is commonly used in southern Germany and Austria as a friendly greeting and a way to say goodbye. It originates from the Latin "servus", meaning "at your service". "Pfiat di" or "Priat di" is another charming way to bid farewell to friends in Austrian German.

Combining Expressions:

It is not uncommon for Austrians to use multiple expressions together when saying goodbye. For instance, you might hear "Tschau-Baba, Bussi, bis bald!", combining several farewell phrases.

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Saying goodbye over the phone

Saying goodbye in Austrian German, especially over the phone, can be challenging, but here are some expressions to help you out.

Firstly, it's worth noting that Austrians tend to take their time when parting ways. It is customary to say goodbye to each individual in the room, and this can also be the case when ending a phone call. It is common to have a mini-conversation while saying goodbye, which can extend the farewell.

Now, onto the expressions themselves. Auf Wiedersehen is a formal way to say goodbye, often used with strangers, and it translates to "to meeting again". It is pronounced "Ouf weeder-zeh-hen", with a cheerful tone. However, it is quite formal and archaic, so in casual conversations, Austrians are more likely to use something shorter. In such cases, a simple Tschüss or Tschüssi is more common. "Tschüss" is pronounced with a harsh "tch" sound, followed by 'ü', and ending with a sharp, whistling 's'.

There are also some more informal and playful expressions you could use. For instance, "tschüsli müsli" or "bis spätersilie". With children, "baba" or "ba ba" is popular. "Servus" is another informal option, and "wiedersehen" and "wiederschauen" are often used in shops, with the reply often being "wiederhören" over the phone.

So, the next time you're ending a phone call with an Austrian German speaker, feel free to use one of these expressions to say goodbye!

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Saying goodbye in a shop

When saying goodbye in a shop in Austrian German, there are several phrases you can use. “Tschüss” is the most common way to say "bye" in German and can be used in a variety of situations, including when saying goodbye to a friend, work colleague, or in-laws. However, it is not appropriate in formal business settings. “Auf Wiedersehen” is more formal and would be used in formal business settings. “Servus” is another option and is widely used in Southern Germany and Austria, but not in Northern Germany. It is a friendly greeting that can be used to say both “hello” and “goodbye”.

In addition, there are other ways to add warmth to your parting. For example, you can say “Bis Dienstag. Mach’s gut!”, which means "Have a good Tuesday". “Mach‘s gut” on its own also means "take care". “Bis bald / Bis später” means "see you soon / later", while “Schönen Tag noch” means "have a great day".

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Saying goodnight

When it comes to saying goodnight in Austrian German, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, Austrians tend to take their time when parting ways, and it's customary to say goodbye to each individual in the room. This can lead to mini-conversations during goodbyes, so it's important to set aside enough time for farewells.

Now, onto the specific ways to say goodnight in Austrian German:

  • “Gute Nacht” is the standard and universal way to say "good night" in German, including Austrian German. It is suitable for most situations, whether with family, friends, or acquaintances. However, it is important to note that "Gute Nacht" is only used when you are actually going to sleep. Saying it too early in the evening might earn you some strange looks!
  • “G'sund bleibn” is a regional variation used in Austrian German and Bavarian dialects, meaning "stay healthy."
  • “Schönen Abend” is used when leaving for the night but not yet going to sleep. It translates to "have a nice evening."
  • “Schlaf gut" or “Schlof gut” is another informal way to say good night, similar to "sleep tight" in English.
  • “Schlaf schön” is a humorous phrase that means "snore well." It is used among friends or in light-hearted contexts.
  • “Schlaf gut und träum was Süßes” is a romantic way to say good night and wish someone sweet dreams.

Frequently asked questions

In a formal setting, you can say "Auf Wiedersehen", which means "until we see each other again".

Some informal ways to say goodbye in Austrian German include "Tschüss", "Tschau", "Baba", "Ciao", and "Servus".

Yes, there are several other ways to say goodbye in Austrian German, such as "Bis bald/Bis später" (See you soon/later), "Schönen Tag noch" (Have a great day), and "Mach's gut" (Take care).

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