Servus Deutschlerner! You're making great progress with Standard German (Hochdeutsch), but have you ever listened to an Austrian speak and thought, "Wait, is that still German?" While Standard German is the official language in Austria and used in writing and formal settings, the everyday spoken language has its own delightful flavour.

Take our 5-minute challenge: compare the Standard German phrases with their typical Austrian counterparts below. You'll likely find it much more familiar than Swiss German, but with some charming quirks. How much can you understand?

What is Austrian German (Österreichisches Deutsch)?

Unlike Swiss German dialects, Austrian German is considered a variety of Standard German, not a separate dialect group in the same way. This means the grammar is largely identical to Standard German, and written forms are very similar. The main differences lie in vocabulary (Austriacisms), pronunciation, and certain preferred grammatical constructions in spoken language.

The Challenge: Spot the Differences!

Look at these Standard German sentences and their typical Austrian equivalents. Focus on the vocabulary!

• Ich esse gerne Tomaten und Kartoffeln.
  I iss gern Paradeiser und Erdäpfel.
  Major vocabulary changes for common foods: Tomaten → Paradeiser, Kartoffeln → Erdäpfel. Also note the slightly different verb/pronoun form (Ich esse > I iss).
• Der Januar ist oft sehr kalt.
  Da Jänner is oft sehr koid.
  Different word for January: Januar → Jänner. Pronunciation often softens consonants ('kalt' > 'koid').
• Guten Tag! Brauchen Sie eine Tüte?
  Grüß Gott! Brauchn S' a Sackerl?
  Common traditional greeting Grüß Gott. Different word for bag: Tüte → Sackerl. Contraction 'S' for Sie.
• Ich hätte gerne Aprikosen mit Sahne und Quark.
  I hätt gern Marillen mit Obers und Topfen.
  Classic Austrian food vocabulary: Aprikosen → Marillen, Sahne → Obers, Quark → Topfen.

See? While the sentence structure is familiar, the specific words (especially for food!) can be quite different.

Key Differences to Listen For

What makes Austrian German distinct?

• Vocabulary (Austriacisms): This is the biggest area of difference. Many everyday words, especially related to food and household items, are unique to Austria. Examples: Paradeiser (Tomaten), Erdäpfel (Kartoffeln), Jänner (Januar), Marillen (Aprikosen), Topfen (Quark), Schlagobers / Obers (Sahne), Sackerl (Tüte), Kasten (Schrank - cupboard/closet), Stiege (Treppe - stairs).
• Pronunciation: Generally less distinct from Standard German than Swiss German, but noticeable.
  • Often a softer pronunciation of consonants like 'k', 'p', 't'.
  • Vowels might sound slightly different (e.g., darker 'a').
  • Melody and intonation can differ.
  • A rolling 'r' might be more common in some regions.
• Grammar: Differences are minor.
  • Like Southern Germany and Switzerland, the Simple Past tense (Präteritum) is rarely used in spoken Austrian German; the Perfect tense is standard for past events.
  • Some prepositions might be used differently in certain contexts.
  • Use of diminutives with -l or -erl (e.g., Sackerl).
• Greetings: While Hallo and Guten Tag are understood, Servus (informal hello/goodbye) and Grüß Gott (traditional/polite hello) are very common.

So, Can Germans Understand Austrian German?

Generally, yes! Mutual intelligibility between Standard German speakers (from Germany) and Austrian German speakers is very high. Unlike the significant barrier often posed by Swiss German dialects, the differences are usually manageable. The primary challenge comes from unfamiliar vocabulary (Austriacisms). Once you learn key terms like Paradeiser or Jänner, understanding becomes much easier.

Conclusion

Austrian German, with its charming vocabulary and slightly different melody, is a fascinating variety of the German language. For learners of Standard German, it's generally highly understandable, with unique words like Erdäpfel and Marillen being the main learning points.

Exploring these regional differences enriches your understanding of the German-speaking world. Keep building your strong Standard German base with Sprachlingua's Online German Courses, and enjoy discovering the nuances of its variations! Servus!