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German is the official language of Austria, but Austrian German has some distinct differences from German spoken in Germany. For example, Austrians say Guten Morgen for good morning, but this can be shortened to Morgen and pronounced as Moagn. Austrians also use Grüss Gott, which translates to greet God, more often than Guten Tag and Guten Abend. In an informal context, Hallo, Servus, or Grüss dich are all used to say hello. To say very good in Austrian German, you can use sehr gut, or Krass! on its own to mean cool! or whoa.
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What You'll Learn
'Danke' means 'thank you'
German is the official language of Austria, but Austrian German has many unique phrases and slang words that differ from the German spoken in Germany. For example, Austrians use the phrase "Ein Ort zum Ausrasten" to mean a place to relax or recharge, whereas in Germany, "ausrasten" means "getting mad".
In Austria, "danke" is the word for "thank you". It can be used in various phrases to express gratitude in a range of situations. For example, "Danke für die schöne Zeit" means "thank you for the wonderful time", and "Danke, gleichfalls" is used to respond to compliments or well-wishes.
If you want to thank someone more casually for their hospitality, you can say "Danke für deine Gastfreundschaft". You can also use "danke" to express thanks in advance for a favour or action, by saying "Danke im Voraus".
In response to "danke", you can say "bitte", which means "you're welcome". Alternatively, "bitte schön" or "bitte sehr" can be used as a more emphatic response.
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'Krass' means 'cool'
German and Austrian are very similar, but there are some key differences. For example, Austrians say "Griaß God" instead of "Grüß Gott", and "Serwas" instead of "Servus". One notable slang term used in Austrian is "krass", which has a variety of meanings depending on the context. It is often used by young people as an all-purpose adjective, and can mean cool, wicked, shocking, odd, or what a pity. For instance, "Das ist krass" can mean "that's awesome", whereas "Krass!" on its own might mean "cool!" or "whoa". The word can also be used for emphasis, as in "Voll krass!", meaning "cool!".
The word "krass" is a loanword from the Latin "crassus", and is used to describe extremes, either positive or negative. It is similar to the American slang word "sick", and can be used as an expression of surprise or disbelief, like "whoa", "no way", or "crazy". It can also be used as a regular adjective, meaning "intense" or "extreme". In the phrase "Ein krasser Fuchs", meaning "a young student with little experience in life", it takes on a negative connotation.
The word "krass" was once associated with the language of second-generation immigrants from Turkey, and its meaning can be nuanced and dependent on context. As such, it is perhaps best acquired through experience or explanatory teaching methods.
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'Guten Morgen' means 'good morning'
Guten Morgen is the most common way of saying good morning in German. It can be used casually with friends or in a formal setting, such as with your boss or at a business meeting. It is usually said before 10 a.m., and can be shortened to just 'Morgen', pronounced 'Moagn'.
In Austria, you may also hear 'Griaß di' in the morning, especially in rural regions. This has a friendly connotation. In Upper Austria, 'Griaß God' is used instead of 'Grüß Gott', which is a formal and traditional greeting used in Bavaria and southern Germany. It means 'greet God' and is used throughout the day.
There are many other ways to say good morning in German, depending on the region and level of formality. In northern Germany, 'Moin' is used for 'good morning', as well as at any other time of day or night. In Hamburg and Bremen, people often use the double form 'Moin-Moin' with people they know well. 'Servus' is used as a greeting in many German federal states in the south and middle of the country, as well as in Austria, and can also be used to say goodbye.
German has its share of slang, and there are many unique Austrian phrases and idioms. For example, 'Krass' can mean 'cool' or 'whoa', and 'ein Ort zum Ausrasten' means 'a place to relax', but be careful—in German, 'ausrasten' means 'getting mad'!
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'Grüß Gott' is used instead of 'Guten Tag'
The phrase "Grüß Gott" is used instead of "Guten Tag" in Austrian German. While Austria and Germany share the same language, there are significant differences in how it is used in everyday life. For example, Austrians use "Grüß Gott", which translates to "greet God", as a standard greeting, whereas in Germany, "Guten Tag" is more common.
"Grüß Gott" is a short form of "Es grüße dich Gott", which means "May God greet you" in English. It is used throughout the day, except before 10 am, when Austrians usually say "Guten Morgen", which can be shortened to "Morgen". Austrians also have unique phrases and idioms that differ from standard German. For example, "Kekse", which literally means "cookies", is used to indicate that someone is annoying you or getting on your nerves.
The use of "Grüß Gott" varies by region, and it is more common in some areas than others. For example, in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, it is widely used, while in Hannover, people are more likely to say "Guten Tag". Some people may also refuse to use "Grüß Gott" due to its religious connotations, especially if they are atheists.
In addition to "Grüß Gott", there are other unique greetings in Austrian German. In an informal context, one can say "Hallo", "Servus", or "Grüß dich". Among friends and family, it is common to use "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di" as farewells.
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'Ausrasten' means 'to relax'
Austrians and Germans speak the same language, German, but there are fundamental differences in how the language is used in everyday life. The Austrian "Mundart" (vernacular) is strong and varies from region to region. Many words are used exclusively in spoken Austrian and therefore have no set spelling.
One such example is "Ausrasten", which means "to relax" or "recharge" in Austrian. Interestingly, in German, the same word means "getting mad". So, if you're in Austria and you're looking for a place to relax, ask for "Ein Ort zum Ausrasten" (a place to Ausrasten). Austrians have their own German phrases and slang for various situations, and while you can get by with basic German words, Austrians appreciate the effort to understand the local language.
- Austrians say "Grüss Gott" to mean "greet God", while in Germany, "Guten Tag" and "Guten Abend" are more common.
- In Upper Austria, "Serwas" is used instead of "Servus", and "Griaß God" instead of "Grüß Gott".
- Austrians use the term "Kekse" to mean "cookies", but it can also be used to indicate that someone is annoying you or getting on your nerves.
- "Krass" can be used to mean "cool" or "whoa", but in a different context, it can mean "that's awesome" or "that's awful".
- "Häusl" is another word for "toilet", derived from the time when toilets were built separately from the main house.
- "Schanigarten" refers to the area outside a bar, restaurant, or cafe where tables and chairs are set up for guests to enjoy good weather and passing traffic.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to say 'very good' in Austrian German. You could say "Das ist krass", which is an informal way of saying 'that is very good'. You could also say "Vielen Dank", which is a way of saying 'thank you very much' to show deep appreciation for something.
The phrase "Das ist krass" is pronounced like "das ist crass", with a short, sharp sound for the word 'krass'. The phrase "Vielen Dank" is pronounced like "fee-len dahnk", with a soft 'ch' sound at the end of 'Dank'.
Other ways to express positivity in Austrian German include "Danke schön", which means 'thank you very much' and is more exaggerated than a simple 'thank you'. You could also say "Krass!", which on its own can mean 'cool!' or 'whoa'.
