Greetings In Austria: Wishing A Happy New Year

If you're planning to celebrate the new year in Austria, you might want to know how to say Happy New Year in Austrian German. Austrians traditionally waltz on New Year's Eve and play the Donauwalzer (Danube Waltz) at midnight. There are two common ways to say Happy New Year in Austrian German: “Guten Rutsch”, which is used before New Year's Eve and means good slide, and Prosit Neujahr, which is used on the first day of the new year and when you meet your family and friends for the first time. “Frohes neues Jahr” is also used in German-speaking countries, and Gesundes neues Jahr means Healthy New Year. Depending on the region, you might also say Guats Neigs, Guats Nuis/Neis, Guata Rutsch, Schians Nuis/Neis, or Proscht Nuijoa(r).

'Frohes neues Jahr' is the most common translation

Frohes neues Jahr is the most common translation for "Happy New Year" in Austria. The phrase literally translates to "Happy New Year" in German and is widely used in German-speaking countries, particularly in the northern and western states of Germany. This phrase is most common in northern Hesse (where Frankfurt is located), Lower Saxony (including Hanover and Bremen), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (the coastal state along the Baltic Sea), and Schleswig-Holstein (the state bordering Denmark).

In Austria, there are two sayings that have the same meaning but mustn't be confused: one is used before New Year's Eve, and the other is used on the first day of the New Year. Before New Year's Eve, Austrians say "Guten Rutsch" to their friends and family, wishing them a good and healthy start to the new year. On the first day of the New Year or when meeting friends and family for the first time, Austrians greet each other with "Prosit Neujahr", which translates to "Happy New Year".

The phrase "Prosit Neujahr" is also scattered across different regions in Germany, including the area around the northern city of Hamburg and northwestern Lower Saxony. It is also used in many parts of western Germany, particularly around the city of Mannheim, and in the southeastern region of Germany in the state of Bayern, which may be due to the influence of eastern Austria and Vienna, where "Prosit Neujahr" is a popular greeting.

In addition to these phrases, there are various other ways to say "Happy New Year" in Austria, depending on the region. For example, in Lower Austria, "Schens Neigs/Gauds Neigs" can be softened to "Schens Neichs" by changing the 'g' in 'Neigs' to a 'ch'. Further west, you might hear "Guats Nuis/Neis", "Guata Rutsch", "Schians Nuis/Neis", or "Proscht Nuijoa(r)".

'Guten Rutsch' means 'good slide'

Wishing someone a happy new year in Austria involves a variety of phrases, depending on where you are in the country. In German-speaking areas, it is common to hear "Prosit Neujahr", which translates literally to ""Cheers New Year". This is also used in parts of Germany.

Another common phrase is "Guten Rutsch", which means "good slide". This phrase is believed to have entered the German language around 1900, likely through postcards that started to circulate in the 1890s. The expression is thought to be derived from the Rotwelsch language, a substratum of German with influences from other languages, including Yiddish and Romany. The Yiddish expression "Rosch ha schono" means "a happy head/beginning of the year", with "rosch" meaning "head" since the 18th century. The phrase may also be related to the fact that people often slide on snow or ice during this time of year.

The phrase "Guten Rutsch" is used to wish someone a smooth transition from the old year to the new year. It is similar to the English expression of "sliding" into the new year. This phrase is also used in other German-speaking countries and regions, including western Germany and the city of Mannheim.

In other parts of Austria, there are various ways to say happy new year. In Lower Austria, for example, you can soften the 'g' in 'Schens Neigs/Gauds Neigs' to a 'ch', so it becomes 'Schens Neichs'. Further west, you might hear 'Guats Nuis/Neis', 'Guata Rutsch', 'Schians Nuis/Neis', or 'Proscht Nuijoa(r)'.

'Prosit Neujahr' is used in eastern Austria and Vienna

In Austria, there are two sayings that are used to wish someone a happy new year. "Guten Rutsch" is used before New Year's Eve and means you wish the person a good and healthy start to the new year. On the first day of the new year, or when you meet your family and friends for the first time, you greet them with "Prosit Neujahr", which means "Happy New Year".

"Prosit Neujahr" is a popular greeting in eastern Austria and Vienna. The phrase is also used in Germany and is scattered regionally. It is often used in the area around the northern city of Hamburg and northwestern Lower Saxony. You will also likely hear it in many parts of western Germany, particularly around the city of Mannheim. There is also usage of the phrase in the southeastern region of Germany in the state of Bayern, which may be due to influence from eastern Austria and Vienna.

In Austria, there are many other customs to welcome the new year. For example, sparkling wine or champagne are put on ice, and fireworks are provided. After the countdown, when the 12 chimes of the bells are over, people all over the country dance to the “The Blue Danube” waltz, which is broadcasted on the radio and television.

'Gusch deppata' is said after the gratulation

The phrase "Gusch deppata" is said after wishing someone a happy new year in Austria. While German and English are widely spoken in Austria, there are some unique phrases and slang specific to the country. The Austrian German dialect varies from region to region, with certain words used exclusively in spoken Austrian, making it challenging to provide a definitive spelling.

"Gusch deppata" is one such example, and it is used as a light-hearted addition to a new year's greeting. The phrase appears to be a playful variation of standard German phrases used to wish a happy new year, such as "Prosit Neujahr" (cheers to the new year) or "Frohes neues Jahr" (happy new year).

In Austria, it is common to use expressions like "Gusch deppata" that are more vague and ambiguous than standard German. This playful use of language is a notable feature of Austrian German, which tends to be more ironic and indirect than the German spoken in Germany. This can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, as Austrians and Germans interpret the same phrases differently due to their distinct cultural contexts.

Learning these unique Austrian phrases can be very useful for integrating into the local culture and making Austrians happy by showing an effort to understand their language.

'Schens Neigs' is used in Lower Austria

In Austria, the way you wish someone a Happy New Year varies depending on the region. In German, "Happy New Year" is "Frohes neues Jahr", which is widely used in German-speaking countries, particularly in the northern and western states of Germany. In Austria, "Happy New Year" can be translated to "Prosit Neujahr", "Guten Rutsch", or "Schens Neigs/Gauds Neigs".

If you are in Lower Austria, you can soften the 'g' in 'Schens Neigs/Gauds Neigs' to a 'ch' so that it becomes 'Schens Neichs'. This is also the case further west, where you might also hear "Guats Nuis/Neis", "Guata Rutsch", "Schians Nuis/Neis", and "Proscht Nuijoa(r)".

"Prosit Neujahr" is used in the area around the northern city of Hamburg and northwestern Lower Saxony, as well as in many parts of western Germany, particularly around the city of Mannheim. It is also used in the southeastern region of Germany in the state of Bayern, which may be due to influence from eastern Austria and Vienna, where "Prosit Neujahr" is a popular greeting.

"Guten Rutsch" is another way to say "Happy New Year" in Austria. This phrase is also used in Germany, particularly in the northern and western states.

Frequently asked questions