Speaking Austrian: A Guide To Language And Culture

Austrians and Germans speak the same language, German, but there are some differences. Austrian German has a softer, more sing-songy tone than standard German. It is also more polite and indirect. For example, Austrians are more likely to greet someone with Grüß Gott (God bless you) or Servus (from the Latin for I am your servant or at your service), rather than Guten Tag (good day) or Hallo. When ordering another coffee in a cafe, Austrians would use a more formal construction, such as Entschuldigen Sie, könnte ich bitte noch einen Kaffee haben? (Excuse me, could I have another coffee, please?). There are also many differences in vocabulary. For instance, in Austria, a shopping bag is a Sackerl, not a Tüte, and a cushion is a Polster, not a Kissen.

Greeting people

Handshakes

The most common greeting in Austria is a handshake. This is true regardless of age and gender. A handshake is usually brief and accompanied by direct eye contact. In business or social settings, you are expected to greet everyone with a handshake. If there is a noticeable difference in authority between two people, the higher-ranking or older person will typically extend their hand first. Handshakes are also performed when someone is leaving.

Verbal Greetings

When greeting someone verbally, there are a few options to choose from. The most common verbal greeting is 'Hallo' (hello), which is used by 74% of Austrians as their primary greeting. 'Grüß Gott' (God bless you) is also a common greeting, used by 64% of Austrians. This is a more informal greeting, but it is still quite formal and traditional. Other informal greetings include 'Servus' (hi) and 'Grüss di' (hello there).

More formal verbal greetings include 'Guten Morgen' (good morning), 'Guten Tag' (good day), and 'Guten Abend' (good evening). These are often used in business settings or when greeting someone for the first time.

Greeting Friends and Family

Among friends and family, greetings tend to be more casual. Women may greet each other with a light hug and two kisses, one on each cheek. Verbal greetings may include 'Hallo' or 'Servus', as well as 'Grüss di'.

It is important to use professional and formal titles during introductions in Austria. For example, one might say 'Doktor Wagner' (Dr Wagner). Among acquaintances and strangers, it is common to use titles such as 'Herr' (Mr) and 'Frau' (Mrs or Ms) with last names. First names are reserved for close friends, family, and young people.

Greeting in Passing

When greeting someone in passing on the street, a simple 'Grüss Gott' or 'Servus' is sufficient. This is a polite and informal way of acknowledging someone.

Vocabulary differences

Austrian German has many vocabulary differences compared to German German. Here are some of the key differences to be aware of:

Greetings

In Germany, it is common to greet people with "Guten Tag" (good day) or simply "Hallo". In Austria, "Grüß Gott" (God bless you) is the more standard way to greet someone, especially in more traditional Catholic regions. "Servus", derived from the Latin "servus" meaning "I am your servant", is also a common greeting among younger people in Austria and is used throughout Central Europe.

Politeness

Austrian German is often more polite and indirect than German spoken in Germany. For example, when ordering another coffee in a cafe, Austrians would use a more formal and polite phrase such as "Entschuldigen Sie, könnte ich bitte noch einen Kaffee haben?" ("Excuse me, could I have another coffee, please?") instead of the more direct and succinct "Noch einen Kaffe, bitte!" ("Another coffee please!").

Food

There are numerous differences in food vocabulary between Austrian German and German German. Here are some examples:

• Cauliflower: Karfiol in Austria, Blumenkohl in Germany
• Apricots: Marille in Austria, Aprikose in Germany
• Mince: Faschiertes in Austria, Hackfleisch in Germany
• Potato: Erdapfel in Austria, Kartoffel in Germany
• Tomato: Paradeiser in Austria, Tomate in Germany
• Bread: There are too many variations to list here!

Additionally, Austrians may offer you a "Jause", which is a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack.

Transport

When taking public transport in Vienna, remember to refer to the tram as a "Bim", which is onomatopoeic for the sound it makes as it winds through the city.

Parting Words

When finishing a meal in Austria, it is considered impolite to describe the food as "lecker" (tasty). Instead, use the phrase "Es hat mir gut geschmeckt" (it tasted good to me). To say goodbye, you can try the Austrian "Bussi Baba", which translates to "kisses, bye", instead of the German "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Tschüss".

Formality

Austrian German is often more polite and indirect than German spoken in Germany. This formality is considered charming by some, but others find it unnecessary.

When greeting someone, Austrians tend to use the more formal "Grüß Gott" ("God bless you"), instead of the more casual "Guten Tag" ("good day") or "Hallo" ("hello"), which are more common in Germany. "Grüß Gott" is a Catholic-inspired greeting, and it is especially popular among the older generation. Another option is "Servus", which is common throughout Central Europe and comes from the Latin "servus", meaning "I am your servant" or "at your service". "Servus" is more popular among younger Austrians.

In addition to the standard Austrian German, there are various dialects used in different regions of Austria. In everyday life, most Austrians speak one of the Upper German dialects. The Austro-Bavarian dialect, for example, is spoken in northern parts of Salzburg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, and northern Burgenland. The Central Austro-Bavarian dialects are more intelligible to speakers of Standard German than the Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects of Tyrol.

Accents

The accent of Austrian German is quite distinct from the German spoken in Germany. The Austrian accent is described as "confusing", "long and broad", and "more Swedish" than German. The vowels are longer and broader, and the cadence is more similar to Swedish than German.

Austrian German is largely indistinguishable from German, but there are some small differences in vocabulary and pronunciation. For example, the Austrian accent is described as "softer" and "more sing-songy" than the German accent. The Austrian German word "bisschen", meaning "a little", is pronounced "bizzle", which sounds cuter than the standard German pronunciation.

Austrian German also has a more positive and upbeat tone than German. Austrians are described as more energetic, positive, and outgoing than Germans. The language reflects this with rallying calls such as "Sammas!" and "Pock ma's!" which encourage a "get up and go" spirit.

The accent will likely be the hardest component of Austrian German for non-natives to understand. It is recommended that learners immerse themselves in the language before visiting Austria. This can be done by listening to Austrian radio or using language-learning programs that focus on the Austrian accent.

Phrases

When it comes to speaking Austrian German, there are some key phrases and expressions that can help you get by and sound more like a local. Here are some useful tips and phrases to keep in mind:

Greeting People

Austrians tend to be more formal and polite in their greetings. Instead of a casual "Hallo" or "Guten Tag" (good day), Austrians often say "Grüß Gott" (God bless you), especially in more traditional or conservative regions. This greeting is rooted in Austria's Catholic heritage. Alternatively, "Servus" is a common greeting used by younger people and is heard throughout Central Europe. It comes from the Latin "servus", meaning "I am your servant" or "at your service".

Ordering Coffee

In an Austrian cafe, it is considered impolite to simply say "Noch einen Kaffee, bitte!" (Another coffee, please!). Instead, use a more polite and formal phrase such as "Entschuldigen Sie, könnte ich bitte noch einen Kaffee haben?" (Excuse me, could I have another coffee, please?). Austrians value politeness and indirectness in their language.

Food and Drinks

There are numerous differences in food vocabulary between Austrian German and German German. Here are some phrases to help you navigate the culinary landscape:

• In Austria, a shopping bag is called a "Sackerl", not a "Tüte" as in Germany. Asking for a "Tüte" in an Austrian supermarket will likely earn you a confused stare, as it refers to an ice cream cone.
• When referring to stairs, Austrians say "Stiege" instead of the German "Treppe".
• Austrians use the word "Polster" for a cushion, while Germans say "Kissen".
• Cauliflower is called "Karfiol" in Austria, whereas Germans say "Blumenkohl".
• Apricots are "Marille" in Austrian German, while Germans say "Aprikose".
• Mince is "Faschiertes" in Austria and "Hackfleisch" in Germany.
• Austrians poetically refer to potatoes as "Erdapfel" (earth apples), while Germans use the more prosaic "Kartoffel".
• Tomatoes in Austria are called "Paradeiser", a more romantic term than the German "Tomaten".
• Austrians have numerous words for bread, too many to list here!
• If you're offered a "Jause", your host is offering you a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack.
• When riding the tram in Vienna, remember to call it by its local name, "Bim", which is onomatopoeic for the sound it makes as it winds through the city.

Parting Ways

When saying goodbye, Austrians have their own unique expressions. Avoid saying "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Tschüss", which are more commonly used in Germany. Instead, try "Bussi Baba", which means "kisses, bye". It's a casual expression, so use it with friends rather than your boss!

Frequently asked questions