Ruqayyah Snyder
While Austrians speak German, there are fundamental differences in the way they use the language compared to Germans. German speakers in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany use different expressions for saying good night, which in German is Gute Nacht. Austrians have their own slang and phrases for a wide range of situations, and knowing some of these will help you experience Austrian life and culture first-hand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | Austrian German |
| How to say it | Gute Nacht |
| Formal variation | Ich wünsche dir eine gute Nacht |
| Informal variation | Schlaf gut |
| Formal informal variation | Schlafen Sie gut |
| Informal variation | Schlaf schön |
| Formal informal variation | Schlafen Sie schön |
| Informal variation | Träum schön |
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What You'll Learn
- Austrians speak German, but there are fundamental differences in the way they use it
- Gute Nacht is the most common way to say good night in Austrian German
- Austrians have their own slang and phrases for a wide range of situations
- Austrian German is a bit more ironic, which occasionally leads to misunderstandings
- Austrians have a unique sense of humour, which can add a twist to the language
Austrians speak German, but there are fundamental differences in the way they use it
Secondly, Austrian German has a distinct accent that sets it apart from standard German. The accent varies across different regions of Austria, with speakers from different provinces being easily distinguishable by their particular accents. For instance, the Viennese dialect is considered quintessentially Austrian, yet it is more challenging for German speakers to understand. Similarly, the dialects of the Tyroleans in the deeper valleys of the Tyrol are often incomprehensible even to other Tyroleans.
Thirdly, Austrian German has a rich vocabulary with many unique words and phrases that differ from standard German. Simple greetings like ""hello" and food-related terms, such as "tomato" and "pancakes", can vary between the two languages. Austrians also have a special form of the language for official documents, known as Österreichische Kanzleisprache, or "Austrian chancellery language", which has a complex structure and vocabulary.
Finally, the tone and style of speaking differ between Austrians and Germans. Austrians tend to speak with a sing-songy and gentle tone, often using roundabout phrases and being quite polite. In contrast, Germans tend to be more direct and pragmatic in their communication. Despite these differences, Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, and speakers of one variation can generally understand the other without much difficulty.
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Gute Nacht is the most common way to say good night in Austrian German
Austrians speak a form of German that is technically known as High German. While similar, the German spoken in Austria and Germany is surprisingly different in daily life, with variations in terms and expressions. These differences can sometimes make it difficult for Austrians and Germans to understand each other. Austrian German also tends to be more ironic, which can occasionally lead to misunderstandings.
Gute Nacht is the most common way to say "good night" in Austrian German. It is also the most common and widely used expression in Germany and Switzerland. However, there are other ways to say "good night" in Austrian German. For example, you can say "Schlaf gut", which means "sleep well". This is an informal expression, and if you want to use it in a more formal context, you can say "Schlafen Sie gut". Another informal expression is "Schlaf schön", which means "sleep nicely" or "sleep tight". You can make it more formal by saying "Schlafen Sie schön".
There are also some charming and unique ways to say "goodbye" in Austrian German, such as "Pfiat di" and "Servus". The former is used among friends and family, while the latter can be used to say both "hello" and "goodbye" in an informal context. In a formal context, you would use "Auf Wiedersehen" or, with an Austrian touch, "Auf Wiederschauen".
If you want to blend in with the locals and experience Austrian life and culture first-hand, it is a good idea to learn some Austrian greetings and expressions. While you can get by in Austria with basic German words, Austrians are always happy to see foreigners making an effort to understand the local language.
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Austrians have their own slang and phrases for a wide range of situations
For example, when greeting someone, Austrians tend to use "Grüß Gott", which translates to "greet God", especially when addressing the older generation. A more casual greeting that works better with younger Austrians is "Servus", or "Servas/Seas". When outside the city or hiking, you might hear "Griaß di" or "Griaß enk/Griaß eich" used in the plural. In the morning, Austrians will also use German "Guten Morgen" or the shortened version, "Morgen", but for the rest of the day, they prefer "Grüß Gott" over "Guten Tag" or "Guten Abend".
There are also some notable differences in vocabulary. For instance, in Germany, a simple black coffee is called "die Stulle", but in Austria, it's "das Jausenbrot". A small beer in Austria is called a "Seidel" or "Seiterl", and a half-litre of beer is "Eine Halbe Bier" or "A Hoibe" in dialect. In Vienna, a quaint establishment that primarily serves alcohol is called a "Tschecherl", and the more upscale version that serves food is a "Beisl".
Austrian German also tends to be more ironic and ambiguous, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings with Germans. To get a feel for this, it's recommended to watch Austrian stand-up comedians, such as Alfred Dorfer, or to consume Austrian media with study tools, such as FluentU.
Finally, to say goodnight in Austrian German, you would say "Gute Nacht".
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Austrian German is a bit more ironic, which occasionally leads to misunderstandings
Austrian German has many unique words and phrases, and while basic German words can be understood in Austria, it is always beneficial to learn some local phrases. Austrian German is a bit more ironic, which occasionally leads to misunderstandings. For example, the word "Häferl" means a "mug", but in Germany, you would use "eine Tasse" or "einen Becher", neither of which translates as directly as "Häferl". German speakers from Germany may not understand some Austrian words, and Austrians may find their neighbours lack a sense of humour.
Austrian German also has many unique greetings. Before 10 a.m., Austrians say "Guten Morgen", just like in Germany, but this can be shortened to "Morgen", pronounced "Moagn". For the rest of the day, Austrians use "Grüss Gott", which translates as "greet God". "Guten Tag" and "Guten Abend" are not very common. In an informal context, you can say "Hallo", "Servus", or "Grüss dich". The formal version of goodbye is "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen", while "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di" are used among friends and family.
There are also many differences in food vocabulary. For example, a Gasthaus serves mostly local and traditional foods, such as "Fritattensuppe" and "Wienerschnitzel", while a Restaurant is more elegant and offers a broader variety of food. A "Beisl" is a restaurant in Austrian German. Some other food translations include "potato", which is "Kartoffel" in German but "Erdäpfel" in Austrian, and "pancakes", which are "Pfannkuchen" in German but "Palatschinken" in Austrian.
Austrian German also has some unique slang. For example, "leiwand" means something is really amazing, and "oida" is a common phrase. "Etwas geht sich aus" could mean there's enough time or space for something.
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Austrians have a unique sense of humour, which can add a twist to the language
To say goodnight in Austrian German, you would say "Gute Nacht". However, the Austrian sense of humour might add a twist to this simple phrase.
Austrians have a unique sense of humour, which can be challenging for foreigners to understand and even for other Austrians moving to Vienna from the provinces. This humour is called Wiener Schmäh, a term that comes from the Middle High German "smæhe", meaning "insult" or "contemptuous treatment". Wiener Schmäh is strongly associated with Austrian cabaret and stand-up comedy, and it is considered a characteristic aspect of Viennese humour. It is subtle, indirect, and full of hidden innuendo, sometimes compared to black humour. It is a combination of charm and a certain kind of unfriendliness that are usually seen as incompatible.
An example of Wiener Schmäh in action is the story of a woman who died and was buried. Standing in front of her open grave were her husband and her lover. The lover was heartbroken and crying bitterly. The woman's husband put his arm around the lover's shoulders and said, "Don't take it so hard. I'll definitely marry again!". While this may seem like a simple joke, it also has a layer of dark humour and a twist of "is eh scho wurscht" (what difference does it make?). This phrase captures the idea that, in the face of tragedy or difficult situations, it's sometimes easier to retreat into a form of black humour or self-deprecating humour to cope.
Another example of Wiener Schmäh in popular culture is the performance of Christoph Waltz, Vienna's most famous actor, in the film Inglourious Basterds. In the film, Waltz plays a Nazi officer who, unable to cope with the horror of sending people to their deaths, retreats into a dark humour and a "twisted smile". This captures the idea that Wiener Schmäh can be a way of dealing with difficult or traumatic situations.
In conclusion, while saying "Gute Nacht" is the standard way to say goodnight in Austrian German, the country's unique sense of humour, Wiener Schmäh, might add a twist to this phrase, depending on the context and the relationship between the people involved in the conversation. Wiener Schmäh is an essential aspect of Austrian culture and can be challenging for foreigners to navigate, but it is an integral part of what makes Austria so unique.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrians speak a form of German, so you can say "Gute Nacht", which is the standard way of saying goodnight in German.
Austrians have their own German phrases and slang, so you could say "Schlaf gut", which means "sleep well", or "Schlaf schön", which means "sleep nicely".
To say goodnight in a formal context, you can say "Schlafen Sie gut" or "Schlafen Sie schön", which are the formal versions of "Schlaf gut" and "Schlaf schön" respectively.
