Greeting Austrians: The Art Of Saying Hello

Austrians speak a version of High German that is similar to the German spoken in Germany, but there are some differences in terms and expressions. If you want to blend in with the locals and experience Austrian life and culture first-hand, it's useful to know some Austrian greetings. Austrians use the standard German greetings Guten Morgen and Auf Wiedersehen, but they also have their own variations, such as Moagn for good morning and Auf Wiederschauen for goodbye. Servus is another informal way to say hello, and you can also use it to say goodbye.

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Greeting someone in Austrian slang

If you're up early and out and about before 10 am, you can greet people with "Morgen", the shortened version of the German "Guten Morgen" (good morning). If you want to go one step further, try using the Austrian slang version, "Moagn". This pronunciation can be a bit tricky, so you might want to listen to a few examples before giving it a go yourself.

Another informal way to say hello is "Servus". This word comes from the Latin for "slave" and used to be a way of saying "your servant". While it might seem odd to greet someone by calling yourself their servant, it's quite common in Austria and is similar to the English "at your service".

When greeting friends or family, Austrians often use "Griaß di", which means "hello" or "hello there". The plural form of this greeting is "Griaß enk" or "Griaß eich", and it's also a friendly way to greet fellow hikers on Austria's beautiful trails.

For a more traditional and religious greeting, you can say "Grüß Gott", which translates to "greet God". This greeting is used throughout the day, after the morning when "Guten Morgen" is no longer appropriate. "Grüß Gott" is also commonly used to greet people in passing on the street, similar to how one might use "good morning" or "good afternoon" in other English-speaking countries.

Formal and informal ways to say hello

Austrians speak a form of High German, but there are some differences in the terms and expressions used in daily life. When greeting someone in Austria, it's important to consider the time of day, the region, and whether you want to be formal or informal.

Formal Ways to Say Hello

If you're greeting someone for the first time, it's common to add their honorific title and last name. For example, "Guten Tag", Herr Schmidt or "Hallo", Frau Müller. This demonstrates respect and establishes a formal tone. "Guten Tag" and "Hallo" are both good choices when you're not sure what to say, as they are used throughout Austria and are considered formal greetings.

If you're in western or southern Austria, you might hear people say "Grüß Gott", which means "Greet God". Despite its religious roots, it is still widely used in formal settings and as a general greeting. "Guten Morgen" is also used as a formal greeting before 10 am, and the shorter version, "Morgen", is sometimes used in Austrian slang (although be careful with the pronunciation of "Moagn").

Informal Ways to Say Hello

"Servus" is a popular informal greeting in Austria, particularly in Vienna and the Alps. It can also be used interchangeably as a way to say goodbye. "Hallo" is another informal greeting, widely used by people of all ages. It is casual and friendly and can be used with both friends and acquaintances. "Griaß di" is also used informally, particularly in Carinthia, and its plural form is "Griaß enk/Griaß eich". This greeting is often used with fellow hikers on one of Austria's many trails.

German greetings vs Austrian greetings

German and Austrian are mutually intelligible varieties of the same language, but there are some differences in the way they are used. German and Austrian German have different phrases and slang for a wide range of situations, including greetings. While Austrians may understand "Guten Tag", the standard German greeting, they are more likely to use "Grüß Gott", which translates to "Greet God". "Guten Tag" is rarely used in Austria. Austrians may also greet you with "Servus", "Servas", or "Hallo", all of which are informal ways to say hello.

Before 10 a.m., Austrians will greet you with "Guten Morgen", just like in Germany. This can be shortened to "Morgen", and pronounced as "Moagn". Austrians also have their own unique ways of saying goodbye. "Servus" can be used as a casual greeting and farewell, as can Priat di and Pfiat di. In a formal context, you would use the German "Auf Wiedersehen", or, with an Austrian touch, "Auf Wiederschauen".

Austrians also have some unique expressions. For example, "Ausrasten" means to relax or recharge for Austrians, but Germans would translate it to "getting mad". Another example is the way Austrians order beer. "Eine Halbe Bier", or in dialect "A Hoibe", stands for "half a litre of beer" and is equivalent to the German "Grosses Bier".

While these insights into Austrian greetings and expressions can be helpful, it's important to note that cultural expectations and individual preferences vary. Some Austrians may greet you, while others may not, and some may take a few seconds to say goodbye while others won't.

Austrian greetings before 10 am

Austrians speak a form of High German that is similar to that spoken in Germany, but there are some notable differences. If you're in Austria and want to greet people before 10 a.m., there are several options. The German greeting "Guten Morgen" ("good morning") is commonly used, as is the shorter version, "Morgen". If you want to go one step further, you can use the slang term "Moagn".

Other ways to say "hello" in Austrian German include the Latin-derived "Servus", which is used informally, especially among younger Austrians. "Servus" can also be spelled Servas or Seas. The greeting "Griaß di", or "Griaß enk/Griaß eich" in the plural, is commonly used among friends and family and is also a friendly greeting for fellow hikers. The religiously-inspired "Grüß Gott" is a more traditional, formal greeting, literally meaning "God's greeting".

Other informal greetings include Hallo and Guten Tag, which are becoming more common in Austria. If you want to say "goodbye", you can use "Servus", "Tschüss", "Pfiat di", or "Priat di". In a formal context, you can use the German "Auf Wiedersehen" or the more Austrian "Auf Wiederschauen".

How to say hello in Austrian German

Austrian German has a range of expressions for saying 'hello', which vary according to the time of day, the age of the person you're speaking to, and the level of formality.

Before 10 a.m., it's common to say 'Guten Morgen', which can be shortened to 'Morgen' and pronounced as 'Moagn'. For the rest of the day, Austrians use 'Grüß Gott', which translates as 'greet God'. The standard German expressions 'Guten Tag' and 'Guten Abend' are less common in Austria.

In informal contexts, you can use 'Hallo', 'Servus' or 'Grüß dich'. 'Servus' can also be spelled spelled 'Serwas' or spelled 'Servas'/'Seas', and is particularly popular with younger Austrians. 'Grüß dich' can also be spelled 'Grüß di' or pronounced 'Griaß di', 'Griaß enk', or 'Griaß eich' in the plural.

If you're looking for a term of greeting that will help you fit in, Austrians recommend using "Moin" or "Tach".

Frequently asked questions