Yes, Austrians and Germans generally understand each other, as both speak German, but communication can vary from effortless to challenging depending on regional dialects and accents. While Standard German (Hochdeutsch) is used in schools and formal settings, Austrians use a distinct variant with unique vocabulary, softer pronunciation, and regional accents (especially in rural areas) that can sometimes confuse Northern Germans.
Can people from Germany and Austria understand each other?
Austrians and Germans can easily understand each other since they both speak German. While there are regional dialects and specific terms unique to each country, the core structure and vocabulary are largely the same. Think of it as akin to Americans understanding the British.
Austria began to develop a separate national identity from Germany, although both countries continued to co-operate closely in economic and cultural fields during the Cold War. Moreover, political relations between both countries have been strong and amicable.
Standard German is most commonly and frequently used in formal as well as informal settings in Austria's capital, Vienna. Here, people of all generations speak Standard German and even those, who slip into their regional dialects will understand the standard variation perfectly fine.
Christoph Waltz On The Difference Between Germans & Austrians | CONAN on TBS
Do Austrians see themselves as Germans?
Unlike earlier in the 20th century, in 1987 only 6% of Austrians identified themselves as "Germans". Today, over 90% of the Austrians see themselves as an independent nation. The logic of the existence of an independent Austrian state is no longer questioned as it was in the inter-war period.
Yes, Germans absolutely say "Guten Morgen" (Good morning) as a standard, common greeting, especially before 11 a.m., but they also use it informally by shortening it to just "Morgen," and may use it jokingly or sarcastically at other times of day. It's a fundamental German phrase for starting the day positively in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Everyday Phrases: Bitte Please. The Austrians are an extremely polite group of people, and pride themselves on it. Bitte is probably the phrase I use most on a daily basis. Bitte sch n While bitte means please, this phrase can be turned around to reply you re welcome as well.
The native Austrian-born Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf on the first page of the book: "German Austria must return to the great German motherland" and "common blood belongs in a common Reich". From 1937, it was clear to the Nazis that it would not be long before Austria was going to be incorporated into Nazi Germany.
France is Germany's closest and most important partner in Europe. There is no other country with which we coordinate so regularly and intensively at all political levels and in all areas.
Generally speaking, Austrian people are considered more outgoing and cheerful than Germans, who are often more formal and perhaps distant upon first meeting.
Class and Ethnicity: 88% of Austrians are of German ethnicity, the remaining 12% are descendants from neighbouring cultures such as Croatians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks and Roma.
What is the easiest German dialect to understand? Dialects from the Upper Saxon and Thuringian dialect group should be closest to standard German from all German dialects and so be easiest to understand. This is because standard German is actually based on these dialects.
There are countless times a native speaker might use bitte in German conversations! As a note, any of the sentences above are still grammatically correct when you remove the word "bitte." They just become less polite. So, when in doubt, stick to polite etiquette and use bitte in German.
To reply to "Danke schön" (Thank you very much) in German, common responses meaning "You're welcome" include Bitte schön, Bitte sehr, or the more casual Gern geschehen (My pleasure/Gladly done). You can also just use Bitte (Please/You're welcome) or phrases like Kein Problem (No problem) or Nichts zu danken (Nothing to thank for) for a casual tone.
In Germany, rudeness often involves a lack of punctuality, being loud in public (especially on transport), ignoring rules (like red lights), disrespecting privacy (e.g., closed doors), and showing a disregard for cleanliness or order, with emphasis placed on directness, respect for elders, and proper address (using titles/formal "Sie" for strangers). Common taboos include haggling in supermarkets, leaving trash (especially Pfand bottles), interrupting, and overly familiar gestures like the "thumbs up" or "okay" sign.
Yes, Backpfeifengesicht (pronounced roughly as bahk-FY-fuhn-guh-zikh-t) is an insult, though a colloquial and humorous one, describing a face that looks like it deserves a slap or punch, used for smug, annoying, or irritating faces. It's not a vulgar swear word but rather a cheeky term highlighting someone's unpleasant expression, combining Backe (cheek) and Pfeife (whistle/slap), meaning "a face that needs a slap".
In the evening, you are not permitted to mow lawns after 8 p.m. General evening quiet time begins at 10 p.m. All loud activities are restricted throughout all of Sunday, to include lawn mowing, car washing, loud games or music...if it can be heard outside your dwelling or vehicle, it is too loud.
