Leslie Massey
The national language of Austria is German, but there are some key differences between Austrian German and German German. Austrians have their own German phrases and slang, which can occasionally lead to misunderstandings. For example, the word Ausrasten means relax or recharge in Austrian, but in German, it means getting mad. When greeting someone in Austria, it is common to say Grüß Gott or Guten Morgen, while Hallo and Guten Tag are becoming more common. When it comes to ordering food and drinks in Austria, there are also some unique phrases to be aware of. For example, a Weißen Spritzer is a wine spritzer, and a Verlängerter is a black coffee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official name | Republic of Austria |
| Austrian | Österreich |
| German | Ostarrîchi |
| Latin | Marchia orientalis |
| Celtic | Norig |
| Czech | Rakousko |
| Slovak | Rakúsko |
| Common greeting | Grüß Gott |
| Informal greeting | Hallo, Servus, Grüss dich, Servas/Seas, Griaß di, Griaß enk/Griaß eich |
| Formal goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen or Auf Wiederschauen |
| Informal goodbye | Tschüss and Pfiat di |
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What You'll Learn
Greeting someone in Austrian German
If you're up early, before 10 am, you can greet everyone with "Guten Morgen", which is the same as in Germany. This can be shortened to "Morgen" and even further to Austrian slang: "Moagn". For the rest of the day, you can use the religiously inspired "Grüß Gott", which translates to "Greet God". While this is considered old-fashioned, it is still commonly used as a formal greeting. "Hallo" and "Guten Tag" are becoming more common in Austria, especially with the younger generation. However, if you want to make a good impression on the older generation, "Grüß Gott" is a good choice.
In informal contexts, you can use "Servus" or "Grüß dich" to greet someone. "Servus" is quite versatile and can also be used as a casual way to say goodbye. "Servus" can also be used as a send-off, followed by "Bussi Baba", which means "kiss". "Servas" or "Seas" are variations of "Servus" that work well with younger Austrians. If you're hiking or outside the city, "Griaß di" (or "Griaß enk/Griaß eich" in the plural) is a great option.
In a formal context, the standard German "Auf Wiedersehen" is used, or with an Austrian touch, "Auf Wiederschauen". Among friends and family, it is common to use "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di" to say goodbye.
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Differences between Austrian and German
To say "my name is" in Austrian German, you would say "mein Name ist". This is the same in Standard German.
Now, let's explore the differences between Austrian German and Standard German. Austrian German and Standard German are two variations of the German language, with some notable differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural context. Firstly, Austrian German has a distinct accent characterised by a slower pace and a more musical intonation. Vowels tend to be pronounced more openly, and the letter "r" often has a rolling "r" sound, influenced by Bavarian dialects. In contrast, Standard German has a more neutral and standardised pronunciation.
In terms of vocabulary, Austrian German has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German, and there are some unique words and phrases in Austrian German that are not found in Standard German. For example, "Semmel" in Austrian German means "bread roll", while in Standard German, it is "Brötchen". Additionally, the past tense in Austrian German is often formed with "haben" ("to have") instead of "sein" ("to be") for verbs that typically use "sein" in Standard German. The diminutive form also differs, with Austrians adding -el and -erl to the end of words, unlike Standard German.
Cultural differences also play a role in the variation between Austrian German and Standard German. Austrians tend to use more formal language, emphasising politeness and respect, while Standard German may be considered more straightforward and less formal. Austrians also tend to address people directly with the confidential "Du", doing away with formal forms of address, unlike Germans, who prefer to maintain emotional distance with the more formal "Sie".
Despite these differences, Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, and most Austrians can easily understand Standard German when spoken slowly and clearly. However, regional dialects within both Germany and Austria can sometimes cause confusion.
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How to say 'my name is' in Austrian German
The Austrian national language is German, but there are some fundamental differences in the way Austrians and Germans use the language.
If you want to say "My name is" in Austrian German, you can say "Ich heiße" or "Mein Name ist".
- When greeting someone in Austria, it is more common to say "Grüß Gott" (literally "God's greeting") or "Servus" (or "Servas/Seas" in the plural), especially when addressing the older generation. "Hallo" and "Guten Tag" are also used, although they are becoming more common every year.
- When saying goodbye, the formal version is "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen". Among friends and family, it is more common to use "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di".
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Common phrases in Austrian German
Austrian German has some distinct differences from German, and while you can get by in Austria with basic German, Austrians appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to understand the local language. Here are some common phrases and words used in Austrian German:
When greeting someone in Austria, you can say "Guten Morgen" before 10 a.m., which is the same as in Germany. This can be shortened to "Morgen" and is often pronounced as "Moagn." For the rest of the day, Austrians use the Catholic-inspired "Grüß Gott," which translates to "greet God." "Grüß Gott" can also be written as "Griaß God," especially in Upper Austria. "Hallo" and "Guten Tag" are becoming more common in Austria, but "Grüß Gott" is still widely used, especially with the older generation. In informal contexts, you can say "Hallo", "Servus," "Grüß dich," or "Serwas" (the latter is used in Upper Austria). When saying goodbye, the formal version is "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen." With friends and family, Austrians commonly use "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di."
When ordering a beer in Austria, you might ask for "eine Halbe Bier," which means "half a liter of beer." In dialect, you can say "A Hoibe." A small beer is called a "Seidel" or "Seiterl." If you want to prevent a hangover after a night of drinking, you can order a "Reperaturseidl," a small beer consumed after a night out.
Some common Austrian German expressions include "Ein Ort zum Ausrasten," which means "a place to relax or recharge." Be careful, as in Germany, "ausrasten" means "getting mad." Austrians also have their own words for certain foods. For example, "Jausenbrot" refers to black bread, and "Extrawurstsemmel mit Gurkel" refers to rolls. Austrian desserts like "Topfenstrudel mit Schlagobers" and "Palatschinken" are famous and sometimes even replace lunch. "Topfen" is also a popular ingredient in baked goods and can also mean "rubbish" or "nonsense."
Other unique Austrian German words include "Hackn" or "Hockn," which refer to strenuous labor. "Haberer" means boyfriend, friend, or just a man, and comes from the Yiddish "khaver," which has the same meaning.
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How to pronounce 'Austria'
The pronunciation of the word "Austria" differs depending on the language and accent. In English, the UK pronunciation is '/ˈɒs.tri.ə/', and the US pronunciation is '/ˈɑː.stri.ə/'. In German, the word for Austria is "Österreich", which is pronounced '[ˈøːstɐʁaɪ̯ç]'.
Now, if you're interested in learning how to say "My name is" in Austrian, you should know that Austrians speak German, but with some fundamental differences in vocabulary and usage. For instance, while Austrians use "Guten Morgen" for "good morning" like the Germans, they shorten it to "Morgen", pronounced "Moagn". Throughout the day, Austrians prefer to say "Grüss Gott", which translates to "greet God", instead of "Guten Tag" or "Guten Abend". When saying goodbye, Austrians use "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di" with friends and family, and "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen" in formal contexts.
If you're looking to immerse yourself in Austrian culture, you might want to familiarise yourself with some Austrian slang. Austrians have their own phrases and slang for various situations, from greetings to ordering a beer. For example, Austrians order a "Hoibe" when they want "half a litre of beer", and they have a word for a small beer consumed to prevent hangovers, called "Reperaturseidl". Austrian cuisine is also worth exploring, with famous desserts such as "Topfenstrudel mit Schlagobers" and "Palatschinken".
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Frequently asked questions
The national language of Austria is German, so to say "My name is" in Austrian German, you would say "Mein Name ist".
"Mein Name ist" is pronounced "Mine Nah-ma ist".
Yes, you could also say "Ich heiße", which is pronounced "Ick hy-suh".
