Lexi Webster
While German and Austrian are technically the same language, there are fundamental differences in how they are spoken. Austrians have their own German phrases and slang for various situations, including how to greet people. If you're looking to blend in with the locals and experience Austrian life and culture first-hand, it's a good idea to learn some of the country's unique greetings. In this article, we'll explore the different ways to say 'hello' and 'goodbye' in Austria, ranging from formal greetings to Austrian slang.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formal hello | Grüß Gott, Guten Morgen (before 10 a.m.), Guten Tag, Guten Abend |
| Informal hello | Griaß di, Griaß enk/Griaß eich, Servus, Hallo, Moagn |
| Formal goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen, Auf Wiederschauen |
| Informal goodbye | Priat di, Pfiat di, Tschüss, Servus |
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What You'll Learn
Formal and informal greetings
German is the official language of Austria, but Austrians have their own German phrases and slang. If you want to blend in with the locals and experience Austrian life and culture first-hand, it's a good idea to learn some Austrian greetings.
Formal Greetings
Before 10 a.m., Austrians usually say "Guten Morgen", which can be shortened to "Morgen" and pronounced "Moagn". For the rest of the day, a more formal greeting is "Grüß Gott", which translates to "'greet God' or "may God greet you". This is a very traditional greeting, though it is still commonly used. "Guten Tag" and "Guten Abend" are less common.
Informal Greetings
In an informal context, you can say "Hallo", "Servus", Grüß dich, or "Griaß di" (or "Griaß enk/Griaß eich" in the plural). "Servus" and "Griaß di" are more charming and work better with younger Austrians, and when you're hiking or outside the city.
Formal Goodbyes
The formal way to say goodbye is "Auf Wiedersehen" or, with an Austrian touch, "Auf Wiederschauen".
Informal Goodbyes
Among friends and family, it's common to use "Tschüss", "Servus", or "Pfiat di".
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Greeting hikers
When greeting fellow hikers in Austria, it is common to use informal and friendly greetings. Here are some options:
- Griaß di (Grias di or Grüß dich): This greeting means "hello" or "I greet you" and is commonly used among friends. It is specifically used when addressing a single person. The variation in spelling reflects the different dialects and accents across Austria.
- Griaß enk/Griaß eich (Griass enk/Griass eich): This is the plural form of "Griaß di" and is used when greeting multiple hikers. It is also a friendly and informal way to greet a group of people you meet on hiking trails in Austria.
- Servus: This greeting is widely used in Austria and Bavaria, Germany. It is a colloquial way to say hello, similar to "Ciao" in Italian. "Servus" can also be used as an informal goodbye.
- Hallo: This is always a safe and informal option, as it is a commonly used greeting in Austria.
- Grüß Gott: This is a more formal and traditional greeting used in Austria. It translates to "Greet God" or "May God greet you" and is common in Catholic, German-speaking regions. This greeting is more prevalent in rural areas and among individuals with strong religious beliefs.
Additional Tips for Greeting Hikers:
- It is considered polite to greet fellow hikers with a friendly smile and a warm tone of voice.
- Eye contact and a simple wave are also common non-verbal ways to acknowledge and greet other hikers.
- If you are hiking in the morning, before 10 am, you can use the greeting "Guten Morgen" or its shorter version, "Morgen" or "Moagn" (Austrian slang).
- Depending on the time of day, you can use "Guten Abend" as a formal greeting after dark.
- Remember to be mindful of cultural differences and respect personal space when greeting hikers.
- If you are greeting a group of female hikers in a formal setting, it is customary to address them as "Damen" (Ladies). For a group of male hikers, you can use "Herren" (Gentlemen).
- Learning some basic German or Austrian phrases can go a long way in showing your respect for the local culture and making a positive impression.
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Religious greetings
Austrians tend to be more reserved, and formal greetings are the norm. Handshakes are common, especially when meeting someone for the first time or in business settings. Formal verbal greetings include “Guten Morgen” (good morning), “Guten Tag” (good day), or “Guten Abend” (good evening).
However, there are some religious greetings that are commonly used in Austria. "Grüß Gott" is a religiously-inspired greeting that translates to "May God greet (you)". This greeting is quite common in Vienna and is used in formal situations. Another religious greeting that is used in Austrian German is "Servus", which comes from the Latin word for "slave". While this may seem odd, it is now used as an informal greeting between friends and family.
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Informal ways to say goodbye
Austrians speak German, but there are some fundamental differences in the way they use the language compared to Germans. For example, the German greeting "Guten Tag" is not very common in Austria, where the religiously inspired "Grüß Gott" ("May God greet you") is more typical.
If you want to say goodbye in Austrian German, you can use the formal "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen". In an informal context, you can use "Tschüss", "Servus", or "Pfiat di" (or "Priat di"). "Servus" is a charming greeting that works better with younger Austrians, and anytime you're hiking or outside the city, you can use "Griaß di" (or "Griaß enk/Griaß eich" in the plural). "Servus" and "Griaß di" can also be used as goodbyes.
In Upper Austria, people say "Serwas" instead of "Servus" and "Griaß God" instead of "Grüß Gott".
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Formal ways to say goodbye
Austrians speak German, albeit with some notable differences from the German spoken in Germany. If you're looking for formal ways to say goodbye in Austrian German, here are some options:
Auf Wiedersehen
"Auf Wiedersehen" is the standard German phrase for "goodbye", and it is also used in Austria. This phrase is considered formal and can be used in any context, whether you're leaving a shop, getting off a bus, or parting ways with someone on the street.
Auf Wiederschauen
While not as commonly used as "Auf Wiedersehen", "Auf Wiederschauen" is another formal way to say goodbye in Austrian German. It has a more Austrian flavour to it and can be used interchangeably with "Auf Wiedersehen".
Grüss Gott
"Grüss Gott" is a religiously inspired greeting that translates to "greet God" or "may God greet you". It is more traditional and old-fashioned but is still commonly used as a formal greeting, especially when addressing the older generation. While it is typically used as a greeting, it can also be used to bid someone farewell in a formal context.
Servus
"Servus" is a charming and casual way to say goodbye to younger Austrians. It is also commonly used as a greeting, especially when hiking or outside the city. However, it can also be used in a formal context as a way of saying goodbye.
When saying goodbye in Austrian German, it is important to note that the use of formal and informal language depends on the social context and the people involved in the conversation. Austrians have two ways of addressing someone with "you": "du" (casual) and "Sie" (formal). If you are not familiar with German, it is recommended that you learn phrases in their formal form to avoid coming across as rude. Additionally, learning and using Austrian German greetings and phrases will surely make a positive impression on the locals and help you blend in during your stay in Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrians speak German, but there are some variations in the way they use the language. To say hello, you can use the German "Guten Morgen" or the shorter "Morgen", pronounced as "Moagn". For the rest of the day, Austrians use ""Grüß Gott", which translates to "Greet God", or the more casual "Servus". When greeting someone in the morning, it is polite to say "Mahlzeit" or "Guten Appetit", but this is inappropriate at formal dinners.
To say goodbye, you can use the formal "Auf Wiedersehen" or the Austrian "Auf Wiederschauen". Informally, you can use ""Servus", ""Tschüss", or "Pfiat di".
Austrians may also greet each other with ""Hallo", "Grüss dich", or "Guten Tag", although the latter is not very common. "Griaß di" is a friendly way to greet fellow hikers or people outside the city, and its plural form is "Griaß enk" or "Griaß eich".
