A Bavarian Welcome: You're With Us When Here

Bavarian is a dialect distinct from standard German, mainly spoken in the region of Bavaria in the southeast of Germany, as well as in Austria and South Tyrol in Italy. It has its own vocabulary and pronunciation, and even native German speakers can struggle to understand it. Bavarians have a strong sense of belonging and pride in their unique dialect, and will often switch to speaking Hochdeutsch (standard German) when they realise a person is a tourist or is having trouble understanding them. Learning some basic Bavarian phrases can be a great way to connect with locals and immerse yourself in Bavarian culture.

Greeting someone

Formality

It's important to note that, similar to standard German, there are formal and informal ways of greeting someone in Bavarian. For example, when greeting someone older than you or someone you don't know well, it's more respectful to use a formal greeting. On the other hand, with friends and family, you can use more informal expressions.

Common Greetings

• Seavus (Servus): This informal greeting means "hello" and can also be used as a friendly way to say goodbye.
• Grias god (Grüß Gott): This formal greeting means "greetings from God" or "God bless you." While it used to signify "at your service," it is now commonly used by older generations as a warm way to say "hi."
• Grias di (Grüß dich): This informal greeting is used to say "hello" to anyone, regardless of their age or whether you know them or not.
• Moizaid (Mahlzeit): This is a mealtime greeting, similar to "bon appetit" or "have a nice meal."

Other Useful Phrases

• Via ged's eana? (Wie geht's Ihnen): This formal phrase means "how are you?" and can be used to inquire about someone's well-being.
• Via ged's? (Wie geht's): This is an informal variation of the above phrase, used in a more casual setting.
• Bfiad di (Auf Wiedersehen): This is a more personal way of saying "goodbye," meaning "see you again."
• Pfiat di (Servus): Similar to "bfiad di," this expression is used to bid someone farewell and conveys the sentiment "God protect you."

Tone and Context

When using these phrases, it's important to pay attention to your tone and context. For example, the phrase "pfiate" can mean both "goodbye" and "get lost," depending on how it's said. Similarly, "Servus" can be used as a casual greeting or a more intimate way of saying farewell.

Body Language

Non-verbal cues are also essential when greeting someone in Bavarian culture. A warm smile, direct eye contact, and a friendly demeanor can accompany your verbal greeting to make it more sincere and welcoming.

Oktoberfest Greetings

If you're attending the famous Oktoberfest, you might hear some unique greetings and expressions:

• O'zapft is! means "it's tapped!" and is the official announcement that kicks off the festival when the mayor of Munich taps the first keg.
• Griasgood, is da no frei? means "hello, is there space here?" and can be used to ask if there is room to join someone at their table.

So, the next time you're in Bavaria or celebrating Oktoberfest, try out these greetings to connect with the locals and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture!

Asking how someone is

In Bavarian, there are a few ways to ask someone how they are. In a formal setting, you can ask "Via ged's eana?" (Wie geht's Ihnen?) . In an informal setting, you can ask "Via ged's?" (Wie geht's?).

If you are in a German-speaking place such as a pub or restaurant, you may hear locals greeting each other in Bavarian. Bavarians have a strong feeling of belonging and are some of the friendliest people in Germany. Learning some Bavarian phrases can be a great way to fit in with the locals and lead to enjoyable conversations.

Bavarian is a dialect of German that is distinct from standard German and is mainly spoken in Bavaria in the southeast of Germany, as well as in Austria and South Tyrol in Italy. Even native German speakers may have difficulty understanding Bavarian. The Bavarian dialect has its own vocabulary and pronunciation, and there is no standard written form.

• "Seavus" or "Servus" - Hello or Goodbye.
• "Bfiad di" or "Bfiad aih" - Goodbye (informal).
• "Af vidašaung" or "Vidašaung" - Goodbye (formal).
• "Dang šee" - Thank you.
• "Vo is as glo?" or "Vo is as aboadd?" - Where is the toilet/bathroom?
• "I hoas ..." or "I bin da ..." - I am ... (male).
• "I bin die ..." - I am ... (female).

So, the next time you're in Bavaria, don't be afraid to give these phrases a try and strike up a conversation with the locals!

Saying goodbye

If you want to say goodbye to a group of people, you can say "Bfiad aih" or "Af vidašaung" (formal) and "Bfiad god".

If you are saying goodbye to a single person, you can use "Bfiad di" (informal) or "Pfiat di", which is a much more personal way of saying goodbye than the standard German "Auf Wiedersehen". "Pfiat di" is similar to saying "see you again" and it historically means "God protect you".

Another way to say goodbye in Bavarian is "Seavus", which can also be used to say hello.

Finally, if you want to say goodbye to a group of people you are close with, you can use "Pfiat eich", which is a Bavarian way of saying 'goodbye to you all'.

Asking where the toilet is

If you're in Bavaria and need to ask where the toilet is, you might want to familiarise yourself with some Bavarian phrases. While Bavarians are proud of their unique dialect, they will also try to talk more clearly when they're speaking to non-Bavarians. They will also appreciate it if you try to pronounce the words correctly.

Bavarian German is a dialect distinct from standard German, and even native German speakers can have difficulty understanding it. It is mainly spoken in the region where Bavaria and Austria meet.

• Vo is as glo? (Where is the restroom?)
• Vo is as aboadd? (Where is the bathroom?)
• Wo ist die Toilette, bitte? ? (Where is the toilet, please?)
• Wo ist das WC, bitte? ? (Where is the WC, please?)
• Wo ist hier das Klo/WC/die Toilette? (Where is the toilet here?)
• Wo ist dein/Ihr/euer Klo/WC/deine/Ihre/eure Toilette? (Where is your toilet?)
• Gibt es hier ein (Kunden-)WC/(Kunden-)Toilette? (Is there a toilet (for customers) here?)
• Haben Sie ein (Kunden-)WC/(Kunden-)Toilette? (Do you have a toilet (for customers?)?)

If you're in someone's home, you can ask for the Badezimmer (bathroom), but in a public space, it would be more common to ask directly for the Toilette (toilet).

Saying cheers

Saying "cheers" in Bavarian is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and connect with the locals. Here are some tips and insights on saying "cheers" in this unique dialect:

The Bavarian Dialect

Bavarian, or "Bairish," is a dialect of German that is predominantly spoken in the southern German state of Bavaria and neighbouring regions of Austria and South Tyrol in Italy. While it is considered a dialect of German, Bavarian differs significantly from Standard German, sometimes sounding like an entirely different language. Learning some basic Bavarian phrases, such as "cheers," can be a fun way to engage with the local culture and connect with locals during your travels.

"Cheers" in Bavarian

The phrase "cheers" in Bavarian is "Prost," which is the same as in Standard German. However, there are some additional expressions you can use to make a toast and celebrate with your drinking companions. One common expression is "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit," which translates to "a toast to good company." This phrase is often used at Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria.

Toasting Etiquette

When saying "cheers" in Bavaria, it is customary to maintain eye contact and clink glasses with everyone at the table. It is considered rude to avoid eye contact or not clink glasses with everyone present. Additionally, it is important to take your first sip of beer after the toast. Not doing so is considered impolite and may even bring bad luck, according to local superstitions.

Other Drinking Expressions

Bavaria has a rich drinking culture, and there are several other expressions you can use to enhance your experience. For example, "Zum Wohl" is a common toast meaning "to your health." You can also say "Guten Durst," which translates to "good thirst." If you want to propose a toast to a woman's beauty, you can say, "Auf deine Schönheit," meaning "to your beauty."

Ordering a Drink

When ordering a drink in Bavaria, you might ask for "ein Bier" (a beer) or "ein Maß," which is a one-litre mug of beer, commonly served at Oktoberfest. If you prefer wine, you can order "ein Glas Wein," and if you're in the mood for a shot, you can request "ein Schnaps."

In conclusion, saying "cheers" in Bavarian is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and connect with the locals. By learning some basic toasting phrases and following the local etiquette, you'll be sure to make new friends and create memorable experiences during your time in Bavaria.

Frequently asked questions