Damon Mcknight
Germany and Austria are neighbouring countries in Central Europe that share a long border and a long history. They have a lot in common culturally, but also differ in some interesting ways. While German is the official language of both countries, there are variations in dialect, accent, and vocabulary. The German spoken in Austria is more lilting and less crisp than that of Germany, and certain terms differ—for example, Austrians say Moagn for good morning, whereas Germans say Guten Morgen. Beyond language, there are differences in communication style, humour, business culture, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | Germany: 83.2 million; Austria: N/A |
| Capital | Germany: Berlin; Austria: N/A |
| Topography | Germany: varied; Austria: N/A |
| Language | Germany: German; Austria: Austrian German |
| Vocabulary | Germany: Guten Morgen (good morning); Austria: Moagn (good morning) |
| Food | Germany: Kartoffelsalat (potato salad); Austria: Erdäpfelsalat (potato salad) |
| Drink | Germany: ein Halbes (a large beer); Austria: Hoibe (a large beer) |
| Business meetings | Germany: formal, structured; Austria: informal, relaxed |
| Communication style | Germany: concise, direct; Austria: elaborate, indirect |
| Decision-making | Germany: clear, strict processes; Austria: fluid processes |
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What You'll Learn
Geography and population
Germany and Austria are neighbouring countries in Central Europe. Germany is the larger of the two, with a population of 83.2 million, 3.7 million of whom live in the capital, Berlin. Other major population centres in Germany include Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Leipzig. The topography in Germany is varied, with high Alps in the south that drop off to the foothills of the Alps (Voralpenland), an area known for its beautiful towns, lakes, forests, and castles. North of that lies the Danube River Basin, the forested uplands of central Germany, and the low-lying North German plains.
Austria, which lies south of Germany, is a comparatively small country with a population of about 9 million, almost 2 million of whom live in Vienna, the capital city. Austria is a landlocked country with a central location in Europe, which makes it easily reachable. It is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Danube River winds between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia in its journey toward the Hungarian Plain. Vienna lies in the area where the Danube emerges from between the mountains into the drier plains.
The landscape, culture, and people of Germany and Austria do not seem very different, especially along the border region. The border between the two countries is 818 kilometres long, and there are settlements and towns on both sides. For example, the Austrian city of Salzburg is less than a 20-minute drive from Freilassing in Germany, and there is a lot of commuting and traffic in the region. The cultural differences are minor, and the dialects are similar, but it is clear which country you are in because of the vocabulary used. In both countries, people basically speak the same language—German.
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Language and vocabulary
German is the official language of Austria, and it is spoken by around 98% of the country's population. However, there are variations in the standard German spoken across the different regions of Austria. There are also distinct differences between the many regional dialects within the country.
Austrian German and Standard German are remarkably similar, as they both stem from the West Germanic family of languages. In essence, they are two variations of German. Most of the vocabulary is shared, and speakers of one can generally understand the other without much difficulty. However, there are some differences in local jargon, colloquial expressions, and special terms.
Austrian German uses different pronunciation rules, resulting in a distinctly Austrian accent. Austrian German also has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German, and it often employs different words to convey the same meaning. For example, in Germany, the words stehen (to stand) and gestehen (to confess) are identical in the present perfect: habe gestanden. The Austrian variant avoids that potential ambiguity: bin gestanden from stehen, "to stand"; and habe gestanden from gestehen, "to confess". In addition, the preterite (simple past) is very rarely used in Austria, especially in the spoken language, with the exception of some modal verbs (ich sollte, ich wollte).
In terms of vocabulary, there are many differences between Austrian German and Standard German. For example, in Germany, you would say hallo or guten tag to greet someone. In Austria, you’d say grüß gott or servus. Another difference is in the diminutive form: Austrians add -el and -erl to the end of words instead of -chen or -lein, which is more common in Germany. For example, in Austria, you would say "Mäderl" (little girl) or "Häuserl" (little house), whereas in Germany, you would be more likely to say "Häuslein". In some parts of Austria, you can also find "-li", reflecting an influence from Swiss German, such as "Hündli" (little dog).
There are also differences in the vocabulary used for food and drink. For example, in Germany, you would say "Kartoffel" for "potato", whereas in Austria, the accepted term is "Erdapfel". In 1995, Austria officially joined the EU and became a full member. As a result, 23 food-related terms were listed in its accession agreement as having the same legal status as the equivalent terms used in Germany, including the words for "potato", "tomato", and "Brussels sprouts".
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Culture and customs
Austria and Germany are neighbouring countries in Central Europe with a shared history, economy, and culture. However, they also have distinct differences in their cultures and customs.
Austria, officially called Osterreich, meaning 'eastern empire', is a small landlocked country with nine provinces and a population of about 9 million people. It has been influenced by the cultures of its surrounding countries, and its history as part of the Austra-Hungarian Empire. Austria's culture and customs vary across its provinces, with each region having its own dialects and unique traditions. Austrians are generally conservative, prudent, and moderate in their behaviour. They are formal and follow strict rules of protocol in communication and business. They value punctuality and straightforward, direct, and honest communication. Austrians are also known for their sense of humour, often telling jokes with a straight face, leaving others unsure whether they are being serious or funny.
Germany, on the other hand, is larger, with a population of 83.2 million. It has a varied topography, from the High Alps in the south to the low-lying North German plains. German culture and customs are influenced by its strong manufacturing and export industries. Germans tend to prefer clear hierarchies and formal communication styles, using the formal "Sie" to maintain emotional distance. They have a dry sense of humour and are direct.
While the two countries share many similarities, their differences are notable, particularly in business culture and communication styles. Austrians tend to be more relaxed in business settings, often conducting meetings over lunch in cafes. They are also more likely to address people directly with the confidential "Du". Germans, on the other hand, prefer formal business structures and designated meeting rooms.
In summary, while Germany and Austria share historical and cultural ties, they also exhibit distinct differences in their cultures and customs, from humour and communication styles to business practices and regional variations.
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Business and communication
Austria and Germany share a lot of similarities in their business and communication cultures due to their shared history. German is the official language of both countries, and approximately 98% of the population in each country speaks German or a dialect of it. However, there are some differences in vocabulary and accent, with Austrian German sounding "softer" than German.
In terms of business culture, Austrians value order, privacy, and punctuality. They are generally conservative, prudent, and moderate in their behaviour. They respect perfectionism in business and private life, and they tend to focus on achieving the task at hand. Austrians are quite regimental and compartmental in organising their business relationships, and they maintain a strict separation between their private life and work life. As a result, it takes time to forge more personal relationships in Austria. Following established protocols is critical to building and maintaining business relationships in the country. Communication is very formal, and Austrians tend to be direct. Third-party introductions are strongly recommended in Austria as they illustrate an image of trust in business. Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual, and it is recommended to have one side of the card translated into German to demonstrate attention to detail. Austrians are suspicious of hyperbole or displays of emotion, and they tend to be quite private about their personal matters. There is little joking or small talk in the office, and Austrians are serious and focused on accomplishing their business goals.
In Germany, business meetings usually take place in designated rooms, and there is a clear distinction between business meetings and social gatherings. Germans tend to stick to the more formal "Sie" to maintain an emotional distance, whereas Austrians are more likely to use the confidential "Du" and address people directly by their first name. Germans prefer clear hierarchical structures and strict decision-making processes, while decision-making in Austria is more fluid and may take longer. However, both cultures often end up with the same results.
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Food and drink
Austrian and German food and drink cultures have many similarities, but also some differences. In terms of food, both countries share a love of hearty meat meals, sausages, schnitzel, and strudel. However, Austrian food is said to be generally more ""Mediterranean" than German food, with greater Italian and Hungarian influences due to its more southern location and historical ties to Hungary and parts of the Balkans. Austrian cuisine also has many regional specialties that are similar to those found in Bavaria and other Alpine countries, such as goulash and palatschinken, which are harder to find in most parts of Germany.
When it comes to drinks, both countries have a strong cafe culture, with conversations often rolling over cups of specialty coffee. Austria is also known for its wine, with flourishing vineyards in Eastern regions such as Styria and Burgenland producing varieties such as Riesling and Veltliner. Beer is also popular in both countries, with breweries like Stiegl found in Austria. During the summer months, Austrians enjoy drinking tipperl, a mixed wine beverage made with raspberry lemonade, water, and white wine. In the winter, mulled wine (gluwein) and punsch, a mixture of fruit juice, spices, and liquor, are popular at Christmas markets.
Some notable Austrian dishes that are commonly mistaken for German include:
- Wiener Schnitzel: This breaded, battered meat dish is the national dish of Austria, made with veal, pounded with a mallet, dipped in flour, and fried to crispy perfection.
- Apple Strudel: A pastry with a long history in Austria, with recipes dating back to 1696. It is commonly served with a generous dollop of cream on the side.
- Käsekrainer: A large smoked sausage stuffed with Emmental cheese, often served with grated horseradish and mustard.
- Sachertorte: A moist chocolate sponge cake with apricot jam and a chocolate glaze, created in Vienna.
- Mozartkugel: Small round chocolates with a pistachio marzipan and nougat center, packaged in a golden wrapper with a picture of Mozart.
While there are many similarities between Austrian and German cuisine, it's important to note the regional variations within each country as well. For example, northern Germany has more fish and dark bread due to its proximity to the sea, while southern Germany shares more similarities with Austrian and Swiss cuisine, including hearty meat meals.
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Frequently asked questions
German is the official language of both countries, but there are variations in dialect, accent, and vocabulary. For example, Austrians might say "Moagn" (Good morning) whereas Germans would say "Guten Morgen". The German spoken in Austria is more lilting and less crisp than that of Germany.
While there are many similarities between the two countries, they do have distinct food cultures. For example, if you want cream with your apple strudel, you would ask for "Schlagobers" in Austria and "Sahne" in Germany.
Germany is larger than Austria and has a more varied topography. Germany has a population of 83.2 million, with 3.7 million people living in the capital, Berlin. Austria, on the other hand, has a population of 8.9 million, with 1.9 million people living in its capital, Vienna.
Austrians tend to have a more relaxed approach to business meetings, often conducting them over lunch in a cafe. They also tend to address people more directly and informally than Germans, who prefer to maintain an emotional distance with the more formal "Sie". Germans prefer clear hierarchical structures and strict decision-making processes, while Austrians have a more fluid approach.
There is a friendly rivalry between the two countries, but they generally get along well. Austrians are keen to stress that they are not Germans, and the two countries have distinct cultures, histories, and traditions. However, they share a long border and a similar way of life, which makes cooperation and friendship easy.
