Learn the Language of the Alps with 25 Typical Austrian Words!
If you are going on holiday to beautiful Austria soon, an adventure filled with stunning mountains, charming villages, and delicious Austrian cuisine awaits you. Of course, you can get by quite well with English or standard German, but how nice is it to also make yourself understood in the local dialect? This not only shows your commitment to understanding Austrian culture but will surely bring a smile to the faces of the locals. To assist you with this, we have written a blog featuring 25 typical Austrian words and phrases that will help you perfectly navigate this beautiful Alpine country.
A Warm Welcome
Upon your arrival in Austria, for example, in a beautifully situated chalet on the slopes, you will be surrounded by magnificent mountain peaks and an enchanting winter landscape. The fresh mountain air and delightful winter sun greet you, while the scent of freshly baked bread from the bakery at the corner of the street invites you to take a look inside. Once inside, you will hear the warm greeting “Grüß Gott”, and “Servus” is also a commonly heard way to say goodbye.
First Encounter
After your visit to the bakery, it is time to check in. The receptionist may ask how your journey was with “Wie geht’s Ihna denn?”. A true Austrian often responds with “Sehr guat” or a casual “Jo, eh”, which means “very good” or “yes, indeed”.
When an Austrian agrees or confirms something, they often use the popular expression in the Austrian dialect: “Na jo, net so.” This means something like “yes, exactly” or “yes, that’s right”.
Fantastic, Relaxed, or Disappointing
Once settled and after exploring your accommodation, it is time to further discover the village and its surroundings. The picturesque streets are photogenic, and the view of the mountains is breathtaking, perfect for sharing lovely photos on social media. To show everyone how beautiful it is here, you can post your photos on Instagram with typical Austrian captions like “Die Aussicht ist Leiwand!” (The view is fantastic!) and “Die Atmosphäre ist hier Lässig!” (The atmosphere here is relaxed!).
If the view or the streets are less photogenic, the words “Deppert” or “Bled” might fit better. These words mean something like “stupid”, “disappointing”, or “annoying”.
The Local Cuisine
After a few hours of strolling through the village and the surrounding area, it is time to explore the local cuisine. Dishes such as the famous Wiener Schnitzel and the delicious Kaiserschmarrn are popular, but Leberkäse is also often ordered. When ordering, you can use the phrase “I hätt gern…” (I would like…). For drinks, you can choose from a Halbe (a half litre of beer), a Seiterl (0.33 litres), or a Vieterl (0.25 litres). Often, you will also be offered a Stamperl (a shot) on the house when you settle the bill.
If you accidentally spill something, you can simply ask for a napkin by saying: “I brauchat a Serviettn.”
Grocery Shopping
After lunch, it is of course time to do some shopping. If you cannot find something, you can ask a staff member: “I suachat…” (I am looking for…). The staff member might then say something you do not understand. In that case, you can use “I woaß net” or “Ka Ahnung.” These are informal ways to indicate that you do not know or have no idea about something. The locals are often willing to switch to English and may even invite you for a meal after a pleasant conversation, which of course offers an excellent opportunity to learn even more about Austrian culture and cuisine.
Tongue Twisters or Trendy Words
A fun way to learn Austrian words is by talking to local children. They are often excited to meet foreigners and can teach you funny words and phrases, such as “Oachkatzlschwoaf,” which means “squirrel tail.” The trendy word “Oida” means “Hey!” or “Mate!” and is often used as an exclamation of surprise. Additionally, they will teach you “passt,” which means “it’s good” or “that’s right.”
Saying Goodbye
When you then say goodbye to the children and they shout “Pfiat Di!” or “Auf Wiederschauen,” meaning “see you later”, respond with “Baba!” This not only shows that you appreciate their local dialect but also creates a cheerful and informal atmosphere. The children will love that you use their words, and it will bring a smile to their faces. Thus, a wonderful interaction ends with a warm memory of Austrian hospitality.
Word List:
- Grüß Gott - Hello
- Servus - Hello
- Wie geht’s Ihna denn? - How are you?
- Sehr guat - Very good
- Jo, eh - Yes, indeed
- Na jo, net so - Yes, exactly / Yes, that’s right
- Leiwand - Fantastic
- Lässig - Relaxed
- Deppert - Stupid / Disappointing
- Bled - Annoying
- I hätt gern… - I would like...
- Halbe - Half a litre (of beer)
- Seiterl - 0.33 litres (of beer)
- Vieterl - 0.25 litres (of beer)
- Stamperl - Shot
- I brauchat… - I need…
- I suachat… - I am looking for…
- I woaß net - I don’t know
- Ka Ahnung - No idea
- Oachkatzlschwoaf - Squirrel tail
- Oida - Hey! / Dude!
- Passt - It’s good / That’s right
- Pfiat Di - Goodbye / See you
- Auf Wiederschauen - Goodbye / See you
- Baba - Goodbye / See you