Greetings In Austria: How To Say Hi Like A Local

Austrians speak a variation of High German, and there are several ways to say hello when greeting someone in Austria. While Hallo is always acceptable, there are other ways to say hi in Austrian German, including Servus, Guten Tag, Grüss Gott, Grias di, Grüss dich, Heil, and Guten Morgen.

Greeting someone before 10 a.m

In Austria, you can shorten "Guten Morgen" to "Morgen", which is often pronounced as "Moagn". This is especially useful if you're in a hurry or just want to be more casual.

If you want to be extra culturally immersed, you can even say "hello" in Austrian slang, which is "Moagn". This informal greeting is derived from the German "Guten Morgen", but with a unique Austrian twist. It's a great way to show that you're making an effort to embrace the local language and culture.

While "Guten Morgen" or its variations are the standard greetings before 10 a.m., there are other options that can be used in more specific contexts. For example, if you're in the western or southern parts of Austria, such as Tyrol or Vorarlberg, you might hear "Grüß Gott", which means "Greetings to God". This greeting reflects the influence of Catholicism in these regions and acknowledges God's presence in daily life.

Additionally, if you're greeting someone in a formal setting, such as a business meeting or when entering a shop, you could use "Guten Tag". This greeting means "Good day" and is commonly used in both formal and informal situations. It's a safe choice when you're unsure of what greeting to use.

So, to summarise, before 10 a.m. in Austria, you can greet someone with "Guten Morgen" or its shorter versions, "Morgen" or "Moagn". If you're in a formal setting or in specific regions, you could also use "Grüß Gott" or "Guten Tag". These greetings will surely make a positive impression and show your respect for Austrian culture.

Greeting multiple people

The formal greeting "Guten Tag" is rarely used outside of metropolitan areas, and the more colloquial "Servus" is often used instead. To greet multiple people, you can say "Grüß Euch" or "Grüß Euch Gott," which is the plural form of "Grüß Gott." This phrase is a formal way of saying "God greets you," and it is common in Catholic, German-speaking areas like Austria and Bavaria.

Another informal greeting used among friends is "Grias di," which means "hello." To greet multiple people, you can say "Griaß enk/Griaß eich." This is also a friendly way to greet fellow hikers on the beautiful trails in Austria.

Additionally, "Hallo" is always a safe option, as it is a commonly used greeting in Austria, and it is the primary greeting for 74% of respondents in a survey by the Spectra Institute.

Formal greetings

When visiting Austria, it is important to know how to greet locals with respect and friendliness to make a positive impression. This is especially true if you are visiting more formal regions, such as upper-class or conservative areas. Here is a guide to formal greetings in Austria:

"Guten Tag" is the most common and widely accepted way to formally greet someone in Austria during the day. It literally means "good day" and can be used throughout the day and in any situation, be it formal or informal. It is a safe choice when you are unsure of what greeting to use.

"Grüß Gott" is a more regional and formal greeting, used predominantly in the western and southern parts of Austria, including Tyrol and Vorarlberg. It translates to "greet God" and reflects the influence of Catholicism in these areas. This greeting acknowledges God's presence in daily life and is more prevalent in rural areas, especially among older people and those with strong religious beliefs.

"Guten Morgen" and "Guten Abend" are also formal greetings, but they are specific to certain times of the day. "Guten Morgen" is used until around noon, while "Guten Abend" is used after dark. They are appropriate in formal settings but are often used casually between acquaintances as well.

If you are in the westernmost state of Vorarlberg, you may hear the informal greeting "Grüezi", which is influenced by neighbouring Switzerland. It is equivalent to "hello" and reflects the Swiss-German dialect spoken in this region.

When greeting someone in Austria, it is important to shake their hand and maintain eye contact. Kissing a lady's hand is also still seen in Vienna, but it is considered by some to be outdated and a way of showing off. If you are unsure of which greeting to use, it is best to start with "Guten Tag" or "Servus", as Austrians appreciate polite greetings.

Informal greetings

"Servus" is a popular greeting in Austria and Bavaria in Germany. The word comes from the Latin for "slave" or "servant", and is used similarly to "Ciao" in Italian. It is a colloquial way to greet people you know well, especially friends, and is also widely used by teenagers.

"Grias di" or "Grüss dich" are used to say "I greet you". The plural forms of "Grias di" are "Griass enk" and "Griass eich". "Grias di" can be used at any time of day, but only when greeting one person.

"Heil" is a common greeting in the West of Austria, often accompanied by a hand gesture. This has no relation to the Nazi past and instead originated in the Roman Empire.

"Hallo" is a standard greeting that can be used in any situation if you forget the others!

Greeting someone in the West of Austria

There are several ways to greet someone in the West of Austria, each with its own nuances and appropriateness for different situations. Here are some of the most common greetings:

"Servus" is a widely used greeting in Austria and Bavaria, Germany. It originates from the Latin word for "slave" or "servant" and is used similarly to "Ciao" in Italian, as both a friendly hello or goodbye. "Servus" is typically used in a colloquial context, especially when greeting friends or people you know well.

"Grüß dich", "Grias di", or "Grüß di" are all variations of the same greeting, meaning "I greet you". These greetings are quite common and can be used at any time of day. However, they are specifically used when addressing a single person. When greeting multiple people, you would use "Griass enk" or "Griass eich" for the plural form.

"Grüß Gott", also spelled "Grüss Gott", is a formal and polite greeting that is widely used in Catholic, German-speaking regions such as Austria, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg. It literally means "Greet God" or "God greets you" and is similar in meaning to the Swiss "Grüezi". While it has a religious background, it is still commonly used by conservative and religiously inclined individuals, as well as those living in rural areas.

"Heil" is a unique greeting commonly used in the West of Austria. Accompanied by a hand gesture, this greeting dates back to the Roman Empire and has no association with the Nazi past.

While "Guten Tag" is the formal greeting for "good day", it is quite rare to hear it in Austria. Instead, Austrians tend to use more informal greetings like "Hallo", "Servus", or the more traditional "Grüss Gott".

When greeting someone before 10 am, you can use "Guten Morgen", similar to Germany. This can be shortened to "Morgen", and you may also hear the Austrian slang version, "Moagn".

In addition to these common greetings, friends often greet each other with "Grüß Sie", "Hallo", "Servus", or simply "Hi", especially among younger people.

So, if you're looking to greet someone in the West of Austria, feel free to use any of these expressions depending on the context and your relationship with the person you're addressing!

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