Lyla Lindsey
German is the official language of Austria, with 98% of Austrians speaking it as their native language. However, there are several ways to say hello in Austrian German, which differ from the German language in many ways. The most common greeting in Austria is Servus, which is also used in Bavaria, Germany. The word comes from the Latin servus, meaning slave or servant, and is used to say both hello and goodbye. Other ways to say hello in Austria include Grüß Gott, Hallo, Guten Tag, Guten Morgen, and Guten Abend.
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What You'll Learn
Greeting friends: Servus, Griaß di, Grüß Sie, or Hallo
Greeting friends in Austria can be done in several ways, including "Servus", "Griaß di", "Grüß Sie", or "Hallo". Each of these greetings conveys a slightly different tone and level of formality, so it's important to understand the nuances before using them.
"Servus", derived from the Latin word for "slave" or "servant", is a colloquial and informal way to greet friends in Austria. It is the equivalent of saying "I'm your servant" or "At your service!" and is commonly used among teenagers and younger people. "Servus" can also be used as a casual farewell, similar to "Ciao" in Italian.
"Griaß di", which translates directly to "hello" or "hello there", is another informal greeting used among family and friends. The plural form of this greeting is "Griaß enk/Griaß eich", often used when greeting fellow hikers on Austria's beautiful trails.
"Grüß Sie" is a more formal greeting, derived from the traditional religious greeting "Grüß Gott" (literally "Greet God"), which is still commonly used by conservative and religiously influenced individuals, particularly in rural areas. "Grüß Gott" has experienced a recent resurgence, with many Austrians opting for this greeting over more neutral ones.
Finally, "Hallo" is the most neutral greeting in Austrian German and is the primary greeting used by 74% of Austrians. It is suitable for most situations and is the equivalent of "Hello" in English.
While German is the official language of Austria, spoken by 98% of Austrians as their native language, there are regional dialects and variations in the Austrian German vernacular. Therefore, it is beneficial to be familiar with a range of greetings to navigate different social contexts when visiting or living in Austria.
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Greeting elders: Shake hands and greet with Grüß Gott, Guten Tag, or Guten Morgen
Greeting elders in Austria is a formal affair, and there are a few ways to do it. Firstly, a handshake is the typical way to greet someone older than you. It is respectful and polite. Secondly, you can use one of the following phrases: "Grüß Gott", "Guten Tag", or "Guten Morgen".
"Grüß Gott" is a religiously-inspired greeting, and it translates directly as ""Greet God". It is a formal and traditional way to say hello, and although it is old-fashioned, it is still commonly used. "Guten Tag" is a very common greeting, and it is the most neutral of all daytime greetings. It can be used all day, from early morning until late afternoon or early evening. It is more formal than "Grüß Gott", and is typically used in a business setting.
"Guten Morgen" means "good morning", and it is typically used until 10 am or 12 pm. It may be considered strange to use this greeting after this time, as it implies that you have only just woken up. However, it can be used sarcastically to imply that someone has been sleeping late.
Other ways to say hello in Austrian slang include "Servus", which is an informal greeting, and "Griaß di", which is a friendly, informal greeting often used with family and friends, or with fellow hikers.
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Formal greetings: Guten Tag, Grüß Gott, or Grüß Sie
Greeting someone in Austria can be quite different from greeting someone in Germany, with several ways to say "hello" in Austrian. The most common formal greetings in Austria are "Guten Tag", "Grüß Gott", and "Grüß Sie".
"Guten Tag" is a widely used formal greeting in Austria and Germany. It is the equivalent of "good day" in English. While it is a neutral greeting in a professional setting, it is rarely heard outside of metropolitan centres.
"Grüß Gott", which translates to "Greet God" or "God greets you", is a traditional and religious greeting that is still commonly used as a formal greeting in Austria. It is also widespread in the Catholic German-speaking world, such as in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and in South Tyrol. This greeting is usually used by religiously influenced, more conservative people or those living in rural areas.
"Grüß Sie" is another formal greeting used in Austria. It is similar to "Grüß Gott" and "Guten Tag".
Other formal greetings in Austria include "Guten Morgen" and "Guten Abend", which are the equivalent of "good morning" and "good evening" in English. However, these greetings are strictly reserved for morning and evening, respectively, and should not be said after midday.
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Religious greetings: Grüß Gott or Pfiat di Gott
Grüß Gott is a common greeting in Southern Germany and Austria, specifically in Bavaria, Franconia, Swabia, Austria, and South Tyrol. The expression, which literally translates to 'greet God', is derived from the phrase '(may) God bless (you)'. It is sometimes misinterpreted by speakers from other regions as 'greet God', and as a result, may elicit sarcastic responses from Northern Germans, who are predominantly Protestant. However, in its standard form, Grüß Gott is widely used in everyday life and official communications in these regions. The greeting is considered formal and more traditional, and its use varies from deeply emotional to casual.
In Bavaria, a predominantly Catholic region, the greeting is commonly used, and its religious roots are not always considered. Some view it as simply a regional expression, while others feel uncomfortable using it due to its religious nature. The phrase has also been used historically in Austria as a sign of defiance against the Nazis before World War II.
Pfiat di Gott, also spelled Pfiat God, is another religious greeting with Bavarian origins. It is believed to have originated from the German phrases 'Führe dich Gott' ('May God lead you') or 'Behüte dich Gott' ('May God protect you'). Over time, these phrases evolved into the Bavarian greeting Pfiat di Gott. While the exact phrase is less common today, variations such as 'Pfiat di' or 'Priat di' are charming ways to say goodbye in Austria.
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Informal greetings: Servus, Griaß di, Hallo, or Hi
Informal greetings are an important part of social etiquette in Austria, where people are known for being polite and friendly. While German is the official language of Austria, there are several ways to greet people in Austrian slang.
Servus is a popular greeting in Austria and Bavaria, Germany. The word comes from the Latin "servus", meaning "slave" or "servant". Greeting someone with "servus" roughly translates to "I'm your servant" or "at your service". It is commonly used among friends and family and is also widely used by teenagers. Servus can also be used as a casual way to say goodbye.
Griaß di, which translates to "hello" or "hello there", is another informal greeting used among friends and family. The plural form is Griaß enk/Griaß eich, which is often used by hikers greeting each other on Austria's many trails.
Hallo is a more neutral greeting, used by 74% of Austrians as their primary greeting, according to a survey by the Spectra Institute. It is also commonly used as a greeting between friends.
Hi is the simplest and most informal greeting, typically used by younger people.
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Frequently asked questions
Formal ways to say 'hello' in Austria include "Guten Tag", "Grüß Gott", "Grüß Sie", and "Hallo".
Informal ways to say 'hello' in Austria include "Servus", "Griaß di", "Hi", and "Guten Morgen"/"Guten Abend".
Religious ways to say 'hello' in Austria include "Grüß Gott", which translates to "Greet God" or "God greets you", and "Pfiat di Gott", which comes from "Behüt dich Gott".
