Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria is a German-speaking nation, but Austrian German is to Standard German what American English is to British English. Austrians speak High German, which is very similar to German, but there are significant differences in the way the language is used in everyday life. German speakers may find Austrian German difficult to understand due to regional variations, historical influences, and the Austrian love for ambiguity and humour. Before 10 a.m., Austrians say Guten Morgen or Morgen, and after that, they use Grüß Gott, which translates to Greet God. Some informal ways to say hello in Austria are Servus, Griaß di, and Moagn.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | German |
| German dialect | High German |
| Greeting | Servus, Griaß di, Griaß enk/Griaß eich, Grüß Gott, Guten Morgen, Morgen, Moagn |
| Goodbye | Servus, Priat di, Pfiat di, Auf Wiedersehen, Auf Wiederschauen, Alles Liebe! |
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What You'll Learn
Austrians speak German, but with a twist
The Austrian vernacular, or Mundart, varies from region to region, with many words exclusive to spoken Austrian and with no standard spelling. German speakers may find the Austrian language different in spirit, as Austrians tend to be more ambiguous and ironic, while Germans are more direct and to the point. This has occasionally led to small misunderstandings, with Germans accusing Austrians of being inappropriate, and Austrians criticising Germans for their lack of humour.
If you want to blend in with the locals, it's worth learning some Austrian greetings. Before 10 am, Austrians say Guten Morgen, or the shorter Morgen, just like in Germany. However, the German Guten Tag and Guten Abend aren't very common in Austria. Instead, Austrians use Grüss Gott, which translates to "greet God", for the rest of the day. Servus, which comes from the Latin word for "slave", is an informal way to say hello or goodbye in Austrian German. When greeting friends and family, Austrians also use Griaß di, and the religiously inspired Grüß Gott in more formal contexts. To say goodbye, you can use the German Auf Wiedersehen, or the more Austrian Auf Wiederschauen.
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German and Austrian German have fundamental differences
Austrians speak German, or more specifically, Austrian German. While Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, there are some fundamental differences between the two varieties.
Firstly, Austrian German uses different pronunciation rules, resulting in a distinct Austrian accent. The prosody, or rhythmic and stress patterns, of Austrian German is notably different from that of Standard German. Additionally, Austrian German has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German, and it often employs different words to convey the same meaning. For example, Austrians may use different words to refer to foods and beverages than Germans, which can be confusing for learners of Standard German.
Another difference lies in the diminutive form. Austrians add "-el" and "-erl" to the end of words, while Germans use "-chen" or "-lein". Furthermore, Austrian German grammar rules differ from those of Standard German. Verb placement is often different, and feminine nouns often take on different endings.
The spirit of the Austrian language also differs from that of Standard German. Germans tend to be very direct and straight to the point, while Austrians tend to sound more vague and ambiguous. Austrian German is also more ironic, which can lead to misunderstandings with Germans, who sometimes accuse Austrians of being inappropriate.
In conclusion, while Austrians and Germans speak mutually intelligible varieties of the same language, there are significant differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural nuances that distinguish Austrian German from Standard German.
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Austrians tend to sound more vague and ambiguous
Austrians speak German, or more specifically, Austrian German. While German is the official language of Austria, with roughly 97% to 98% of people in the country speaking it, there are distinct differences between Austrian German and the German spoken in Germany. Austrian German has a softer pronunciation and some variations in terminology.
Austrian German has its beginnings in the mid-18th century, when Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II introduced compulsory schooling in 1774 and implemented several reforms of administration in their multilingual Habsburg Empire. The written standard at the time was Oberdeutsche Schreibsprache (Upper German written language), which was heavily influenced by the Bavarian and Alemannic dialects of Austria. However, Austrian German has evolved over time and now has its own unique characteristics.
One notable difference between Austrian German and German from Germany is the use of verbs. In Austria, as in German-speaking parts of Switzerland and southern Germany, verbs that express a state tend to use "sein" as the auxiliary verb in the perfect, along with verbs of movement. For example, "sitzen" (to sit), "liegen" (to lie), and, in parts of Styria and Carinthia, "schlafen" (to sleep). This helps to avoid potential ambiguity, such as in the case of "stehen" (to stand) and "gestehen" (to confess), which are identical in the present perfect in Germany but are differentiated in Austrian German.
Another key difference is the use of the preterite (simple past) tense. In Austrian German, the preterite is rarely used, especially in spoken language, with the exception of some modal verbs (ich sollte, ich wollte). This is in contrast to German from Germany, where the preterite is more commonly employed.
In addition to these grammatical differences, Austrians tend to sound more vague and ambiguous when speaking compared to Germans. Austrians are known for their unique sense of humour and love for ambiguity, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings with their German neighbours. While Germans are typically direct and straight to the point, Austrians take a more roundabout approach in their communication. This cultural difference in communication style is something to be aware of when interacting with Austrians, as it may require some adjustment and patience to fully understand their meaning.
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Austrians use the Latin word Servus to say hello and goodbye
Austrians speak German, or more specifically, Austrian German. However, Austrian German is to Standard German what American English is to British English. There are huge differences in the way German is spoken in everyday life in Austria and Germany. Austrians tend to sound more vague and ambiguous, and their language is more ironic, which occasionally leads to misunderstandings.
Austrians use several different greetings depending on the time of day and the level of formality. Before 10 am, Austrians will greet people with "Guten Morgen", or the shorter "Morgen", or "Moagn" in slang. For the rest of the day, Austrians use "Grüss Gott", which translates to ""greet God". The German "Guten Tag" and "Guten Abend" are not very common.
Austrians also use the Latin word "Servus" to say both "hello" and "goodbye". The word translates to "your servant", which was a suitable greeting some hundred years ago. Another informal greeting is "Griaß di", which translates to "hello" or "hello there". The religiously inspired "Grüß Gott" is a more traditional and formal way of saying hello.
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Formal and informal greetings exist in Austria
Austrians speak German, or more specifically, High German, which is very similar to the German spoken in Germany. However, there are distinct differences in the way the language is used in each country. German and Austrian German also sound different, with Austrians tending to sound more ambiguous and less direct than Germans.
Austria also has many regional dialects, and certain words are used exclusively in spoken Austrian, meaning there is no set way to spell them.
When it comes to greetings, Austrians value politeness and respect, so it's important to use the appropriate level of formality. Formal greetings are more common in initial encounters, but informal greetings are equally important to learn as they are appropriate in most social situations and create a more relaxed and familiar atmosphere.
If you're greeting someone for the first time, it's common to add their honorific title and last name, for example, "Guten Tag, Herr Schmidt" or "Hallo, Frau Müller".
Formal Greetings
- Guten Tag: This is the most common formal greeting, meaning "good day". It can be used throughout the day until early evening.
- Grüß Gott: This phrase means "greet God" and is particularly common in western Austria and rural areas, especially among older people and those with strong religious beliefs.
- Guten Morgen: This phrase, meaning "good morning", is used before 10 am. It can be shortened to "Morgen" and pronounced as "Moagn".
Informal Greetings
- Hallo: Similar to English, "hallo" is a universal informal greeting commonly used among friends and peers in both written and spoken language.
- Servus: Derived from the Latin word for "servant", this informal greeting is commonly used among friends and acquaintances. It is also used interchangeably to mean hello and goodbye.
- Hoi: Found predominantly in eastern Austria, especially in Vienna, "hoi" is a casual and friendly way to say hello.
- Grüezi: Commonly heard in the westernmost state of Vorarlberg, "grüezi" is an informal greeting influenced by neighbouring Switzerland. It reflects the Swiss-German dialect spoken in this region.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrians speak German, but with a twist. Austrian German is to Standard German what American English is to British English.
Austrians have several ways to say hello, including "Servus", "Griaß di", "Grüß Gott", and "Guten Morgen" (before 10 am).
Some common ways to say goodbye in Austria are Servus, Priat di, Pfiat di, Auf Wiedersehen, and Alles Liebe!
