German Vs Austrian: Which Language Is Easier To Learn?

German is the official language of Austria and is the main language of instruction at Austrian universities. However, the German spoken in Austria is different from the German spoken in Germany. There are variations in vocabulary, accent, and colloquialisms. For example, in Austria, the German word for tomato is Paradeiser, while in Germany, it is Tomate. Additionally, the Austrian accent can be challenging for those who have learned German in the North, as the vowels are longer and broader. So, while learning German in Austria can be a great way to immerse yourself in the language and culture, it is important to be aware of these differences and be prepared for the unique challenges they may pose.

German vs Austrian vocabulary

German and Austrian are two variations of the same language, and speakers of one can generally understand speakers of the other. However, there are some differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and syntax that can cause confusion. Here are some of the key differences in vocabulary between Austrian German and Standard German:

• Austrians use "grüß gott" or "servus" to greet someone, whereas Germans say "hallo" or "guten tag".
• Austrians say "baba!" when saying goodbye, while Germans use "tschüss!".
• Austrians use "heuer" to refer to 'this year', while the Standard German term is "dieses Jahr".
• Austrians use "Paradeiser" for 'tomato', Marille for 'apricot', and Erdapfel for 'potato'. Standard German uses "Tomate", "Aprikose", and "Kartoffel", respectively.
• Austrians use "Topfen" for 'curd cheese', "Palatschinken" for 'pancake', and "Gugelhupf" for 'bundt cake'.
• Austrians use "Semmel" for 'bread roll' and "Seidl" for a 'small beer'.
• Austrians use "Gspusi" to refer to a 'lover or a love affair'.
• Austrians use "Backhendelfriedhof" to describe a 'potbelly', combining the words "Backhendel" (breaded fried chicken) and "Friedhof" (cemetery).
• Austrians use "Fadesse" to express 'boredom or ennui', combining the French adjective "fade" (tasteless) with a French-style suffix.
• Austrians use "leiwand" to mean 'cool or awesome', and "zach" for something that is 'uncool, annoying, or stressful'.
• Austrians use "Reparaturseidl" to refer to a 'curing drink or hangover cure', while the Standard German term for a hangover is "hair of the dog".
• Austrians use "Schmäh" to refer to 'jokes, wit, or artistic fabrications'.
• Austrians use "deppert/narrisch" to mean 'crazy or foolish'. "Narrisch" comes from the "Narraenturm" in Vienna, where a "Seelenklempner" (psychiatrist) may have worked in the 18th century.
• Austrians use "das taugt mir" to say 'I like that or I'm interested in that'.
• Austrians use "die Oaschkortn ziagn" to refer to 'drawing the ass card', which is used to describe a bad situation, like a bad poker hand or being sent off in football.

German vs Austrian pronunciation

Austrian German, or Österreichisches Deutsch, is the variety of Standard German written and spoken in Austria and South Tyrol. Austrian German is distinct from the German spoken in Germany, and the two varieties have different pronunciations and vocabulary.

The Austrian accent can be hard to understand for those who have learned German in the North. The vowels are long and broad, and the cadence sounds more Swedish than German. The accent will likely be the most challenging component of Austrian German for German speakers to understand.

In terms of vocabulary, there are several differences between Austrian German and Standard German. For example, in Austrian German, "potato" is "Erdapfel", while in Standard German, it is "Kartoffel". Likewise, "tomato" is "Paradeiser" in Austrian German and "Tomate" in Standard German. While many Austrian German speakers will understand the Standard German terms, it is worth noting that many Austrians use their own vocabulary.

In addition to vocabulary and accent, there are also differences in greetings and farewells. Austrians often greet each other with "Grüß Gott" (May God greet you), which is rarely used in Northern Germany due to its Catholic connotation. Austrians also tend to say "Servus" to friends when they meet and "Tschüß" or "Baba" when they depart, rather than the more formal "Auf Wiedersehen".

The way Austrians pronounce words can also differ from Standard German. For example, the word "nicht" (not) is pronounced with a hissing sound for the "ch" in Standard German, while Austrians say "ned", with a longer emphasis on the letter "e".

In summary, while Austrian German and Standard German are generally mutually intelligible, there are distinct differences in pronunciation and vocabulary that can make understanding the other variety challenging at times.

German vs Austrian accent

German and Austrian are two variations of the same language, with speakers of one generally able to understand the other without much difficulty. However, there are some differences in vocabulary, grammar, and accent that are worth noting.

Vocabulary Differences

Austrian German has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German, and often uses different words to convey the same meaning. For example, Austrians might greet you with "Grüß Gott" or "Servus", whereas in Germany, it is more common to say "Guten Tag". Austrians ask for a "Sackerl" when they need a bag, whereas in Germany, they would ask for a "Tüte". Austrians refer to potatoes as "Erdäpfel", while in Germany, they are called "Kartoffeln".

Grammatical Differences

Austrian German grammar rules differ from those of Standard German in several ways. For example, verb placement is often different, and feminine nouns often take on a different ending. In Austrian German, the perfect tense sometimes uses "sein" ("to be"), instead of \"haben" ("to have") in Standard German. The past tense is rarely used in Austrian German, especially in colloquial conversations.

Accent Differences

Austrian German has a distinct accent, which can be quite difficult for German speakers from other regions to understand. The main differences lie in the pronunciation of G and the quality of a few vowels. When a German speaker says "König" (king), the final G is pronounced softly: /könish/. In Austrian German, the same consonant retains its hard sound: /könig/. Vowels tend to have a more nasal quality in Austrian German, sometimes making words sound more French than German. Austrians also have a tendency to drop unaccented vowels.

German vs Austrian colloquialisms

Austrian German and Standard German are largely similar, but there are some noticeable differences in colloquialisms and slang. In 1951, the Österreichisches Wörterbuch (Austrian Dictionary) was first published, setting the standards for Austria's particular form of German. In less formal situations, Austrians use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects, which are rarely written.

Some examples of Austrian colloquialisms include:

• "Aber hallo" – you bet!
• "Achso" – I see / I get it
• "Bis gleich" – see you soon
• "Bock zu + INF" – wanna ___ ? e.g. "Bock zu chatten?" (do you want to chat?)
• "Das macht nichts" – that doesn't matter
• "Das stimmt" – that's right
• "Guten Hunger" – enjoy your meal
• "Kein Problem" – no problem
• "Mahlzeit" – enjoy your meal
• "Nichts zu danken" – no need to thank me
• "Quatsch!" – nonsense!
• "Schupf di" – fuck off
• "Seas" – hello / goodbye

There are also some differences in pronunciation, for example, in standard German, the common syllable "ei" is pronounced like the English word "eye", but in Austrian German, it sounds more like "oa" or "owe-uh".

In addition, there are grammatical differences between Austrian German and Standard German. For example, Austrian German verbs can be different, even in the present tense. Austrians prefer to use "haben" (to have) instead of "sein" (to be) as a helping verb with certain verbs in the past perfect tense.

There are also some false friends between the two varieties, such as "Kasten" (wardrobe) in Austrian German, which is "Schrank" in Standard German, and "Sessel" (chair) in Austrian German, which means "easy chair" in Standard German.

German vs Austrian culture

While Austria and Germany are neighbouring countries that share many similarities, there are some differences in their cultures. Here is a comparison of German and Austrian culture:

Language

In both countries, people speak German. However, there are some differences in vocabulary and dialect. For example, a "Pfannkuchen" (pancake) in Germany becomes a "Palatschinken" in Austria, and whipped cream (Obers) is called "Schlagsahne". Austrians also tend to convey things more elaborately, while Germans prefer to be short and concise. Austrians are also known for their unique sense of humour, often telling jokes with a straight face, leaving Germans unsure if a statement is meant to be serious or funny.

Business Culture

Germany and Austria also differ in their business cultures. Germans prefer clear hierarchies and strict decision-making processes, while decision-making in Austria is more fluid and takes longer. Austrians also prefer to use first names and a more casual tone in business settings, whereas Germans tend to stick to more formal addresses.

Hospitality

Austrians are known for their hospitality and "Viennese charm". They enjoy cultural exchanges and take pride in showcasing their country to visitors. In a survey, Austria was voted the most hospitable country in Europe, while only 10.5% of foreign guests agreed with the perception that Germany was the most hospitable.

Food

When it comes to food, Austrians love their traditional cuisine, which includes dishes like beef soup, "Wiener Schnitzel", and delicious pastries. Vienna is also the namesake of its own eating style, the "Viennese cuisine". Even Germans have expressed their preference for Austrian cooking.

Music

Both countries have a rich musical history. Vienna, the world capital of music, has been home to famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Gustav Mahler. Germany, on the other hand, has produced renowned composers like Bach and Händel. Today, German pop music is gaining international attention, but Vienna remains the heart of classical music.

Nature and Scenery

Austria's location in the heart of Europe, with its majestic Alps, makes it a true natural wonder. Germany also has impressive scenic highlights, including the Black Forest, the Bavarian Forest, and the Ore Mountains. Both countries offer unique natural experiences, but Austria's diverse landscapes and cultural offerings give it a slight edge.

In summary, while both Germany and Austria have their unique charms and similarities, there are distinct differences in their cultures, languages, and ways of life.

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