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How to Say ‘Hello (Southern Germany and Austria)’ in German

Grüß Gott

grooss got

[grooss got]

🇩🇪 In Germany: The everyday hello in Bavaria and Austria, said to anyone from shopkeepers to strangers. Elsewhere in Germany it marks you as southern.

Phrase Breakdown

Grüß

[grooss]

greet / bless

Short form of 'grüßen' (to greet); used in the southern German and Austrian greeting meaning roughly 'God bless you'.

Example

Grüß dich, Thomas!

Hello (greetings to you), Thomas!

Gott

[got]

god

Used to express intense emotion, such as awe or anguish.

Example

Mein Gott, das ist verrückt!

My god, that's crazy!

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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