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Austria is a land of enchanting beauty and unique culture and language. Austrians speak German, but with a twist. German and Austrian share a common origin, but historical influences and regional peculiarities have shaped the spoken language in a way that can make it hard to understand, even for their German neighbours. When it comes to welcoming someone in Austrian, the phrase varies depending on the context and the relationship with the person you're greeting.
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What You'll Learn
Formal vs informal ways to say welcome
When it comes to welcoming someone in Austrian German, it's important to consider the context and adapt your language accordingly. Formal and informal greetings exist to help you navigate different social situations seamlessly. Here are some examples of formal and informal ways to say "welcome" in Austrian German:
Formal Ways to Say "Welcome"
When welcoming someone in a formal setting, such as a business meeting or official event, or when addressing someone older or of higher authority, it's crucial to use a polite and respectful tone. Here are some examples:
- "Herzlich willkommen zu unserer Veranstaltung." ("Warmly welcome to our event.")
- "Wir heißen Sie herzlich willkommen in unserem Unternehmen." ("We warmly welcome you to our company.")
- "Guten Tag." ("Good day.") This is the most common formal greeting in Austria and can be used throughout the day in any situation.
- "Grüß Gott." ("Greet God.") This greeting is particularly common in Bavaria and western Austria, especially in rural areas and among older individuals or those with strong religious beliefs.
Informal Ways to Say "Welcome"
In casual and informal situations, such as welcoming friends, acquaintances, or younger individuals, you can employ a friendlier tone. Here are some examples:
- "Hallo." Similar to English, "Hallo" is a universal informal greeting commonly used among friends and peers. It is pronounced as "hah-loh."
- "Servus." Derived from the Latin word "servus," meaning "servant," "Servus" is an informal greeting widely used in Austria. It is pronounced as "sehr-voos" and conveys a friendly and relaxed tone.
- "Hoi." Found predominantly in eastern Austria, especially in Vienna, "Hoi" is a casual and friendly greeting used among peers and friends. It is pronounced as "hoy."
Additional Tips for Welcoming Someone in Austrian German
- Maintain eye contact and offer a warm smile. Gestures of warmth and hospitality can transcend language barriers.
- Consider extending your hand for a handshake if it is culturally acceptable or customary.
- Ask about their journey or express your excitement about their visit. Showing genuine interest creates a positive and welcoming atmosphere.
- Offer any necessary information or guidance they may need during their time with you.
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Welcoming gestures and body language
Austrians tend to be reserved, formal, and polite during initial conversations. They are also direct and usually speak honestly, clearly, and explicitly. However, they avoid asking personal questions until they have developed a relationship with the person they are speaking to.
When it comes to welcoming someone, it is important to maintain eye contact and offer a warm smile. Extending your hand for a handshake is also acceptable, as long as it is culturally appropriate. Austrians also tend to express themselves more through words than gestures and body language. In general, motioning with the entire hand is considered more polite than using the index finger.
In Austria, public displays of affection such as kissing, hugging, and touching are accepted. However, Austrians do not generally touch each other during a conversation as this can be seen as an invasion of privacy. They also tend to keep an arm's length of distance between themselves and the person they are speaking to.
If you are greeting someone before 10 am, you can say "Guten Morgen", which is the same as in Germany, or the shorter version, "Morgen", which is often pronounced as "Moagn". For the rest of the day, Austrians use "Grüss Gott", which translates to "greet God". "Grüß dich" is also an informal greeting.
When welcoming someone, it is important to consider the context and adapt your language accordingly. For example, if you are welcoming guests to a casual gathering, a more relaxed and informal greeting would be appropriate. You can also take a moment to ask how their journey was or express your excitement about their visit.
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How to say 'hello' in Austrian
The national language of Austria is German, but there are some key differences between Austrian German and the German spoken in Germany. For example, the German word "ausrasten", meaning "getting mad", means ""relax" or "recharge" in Austrian German. Austrians also have their own phrases and slang for a variety of situations, including greetings.
If you're greeting someone before 10 am, you can say "Guten Morgen", or the shorter "Morgen", which is often pronounced as "Moagn". For the rest of the day, Austrians use "Grüss Gott", meaning "Greet God", or the more informal "Hallo". "Grüss Gott" is a Catholic-inspired greeting that will make a good impression on the older generation.
In an informal context, you can use "Servus", "Grüss dich", or "Hallo". "Servus" is also used as an informal way to say goodbye. "Griaß di" (or "Griaß enk"/"Griaß eich" in the plural) is the best choice when you're hiking or outside the city.
In a formal context, you can use "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen". Among friends and family, it's common to use "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di" as a farewell.
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How to say 'goodbye' in Austrian
Austrians speak German, but there are fundamental differences in the way they use the language. German phrases and slang vary depending on the situation, and while basic German words will get you by in Austria, your efforts to understand the local language will be appreciated by Austrians.
The formal way of saying goodbye in Austrian German is "Auf Wiedersehen", or with an Austrian touch, "Auf Wiederschauen". However, this is quite archaic and formal, and most Austrians will use something shorter in casual conversation. In a formal context, such as a public setting like a supermarket, Austrians consistently say "Auf wiedersehen", "Adieu" or "Ade". In an informal context, you can say "Tschüss", "Ciao", "Servus", "Pfüat Gott", "Tschau", "Priat di", "Pfiat di", or "Grüss dich".
If you're up early, before 10 am, you can greet everyone you meet with "Guten Morgen", or the shorter "Morgen", often pronounced as "Moagn". For the rest of the day, Austrians use "Grüss Gott", which translates as "greet God". The German "Guten Tag" and "Guten Abend" are not very common.
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Austrian phrases for travellers
Austria is a German-speaking country, but there are some differences between Austrian German and standard German. Learning some Austrian phrases will help you feel like a local and go a long way when it comes to integrating into the local culture. Here are some common Austrian phrases that you are likely to use or come across while travelling in Austria:
Greeting People
Before 10 am, Austrians usually say "Guten Morgen", similar to in Germany. This can be shortened to "Morgen" and pronounced as "Moagn". For the rest of the day, Austrians use "Grüss Gott", which translates to "greet God". "Guten Tag" and "Guten Abend" are not very common. In an informal context, you can say "Hallo", "Servus", or "Grüss dich".
Welcoming People
When welcoming someone, it is important to adapt your language to the context. For example, if you are welcoming guests to a casual gathering, a more relaxed and informal greeting would be appropriate. You can use phrases like "Herzlich willkommen zu unserer Veranstaltung" ("Warmly welcome to our event") or "Wir heißen Sie herzlich willkommen in unserem Unternehmen" ("We warmly welcome you to our company") in formal situations.
Saying Goodbye
The formal version of saying goodbye is "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen". Among friends and family, it is common to use "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di" or "Priat di".
Ordering Food and Drinks
Austria's gastronomic vocabulary is extensive. A "Gasthaus" serves mostly local and traditional foods, such as "Fritattensuppe" and "Wienerschnitzel", while a "Restaurant" is more elegant and offers a broader variety of food. You can also enjoy "Jause" and some beers at a "Gastgarten", the Austrian version of the German "Biergarten". When ordering beer, "Eine Halbe Bier", or "A Hoibe" in dialect, means "half a liter of beer", equivalent to the German "Grosses Bier". A small beer is called a "Seidel" or "Seiterl". A "Reperaturseidl" is a small beer consumed to prevent hangovers.
Expressing Fullness
The phrase "Das schlägt dem Fass den Boden aus" literally means "to tear a bench" but is used to express how full one is after a hearty meal.
Other Common Phrases
- "Krass" can be used to express something positive or negative. On its own, it might mean "cool" or "whoa".
- "Das ist krass" can mean "that's awesome" or "that's awful".
- "Das bringt das Fass zum Überlaufen" is an idiom that literally translates to "to pull the butt card". It is used to mean "are you crazy?"
- "Ein Ort zum Ausrasten" means "a place to relax or recharge", but Germans would translate it to "getting mad".
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Frequently asked questions
Austrians speak German, so you can say 'welcome' by saying "Herzlich willkommen". In a formal situation, such as a business meeting or when addressing someone older, you could say "Herzlich willkommen zu unserer Veranstaltung", which means "warmly welcome to our event".
In Austrian slang, you can say "Servus" as an informal way of saying hello and goodbye.
Here are some tips to make your welcome more sincere:
- Maintain eye contact and offer a warm smile.
- Ask how their journey was or express your excitement about their visit.
- Let the person know that you are there to help and provide any necessary information or guidance.
