What Language Does People In Austria Speak

So, you’re planning a trip to Austria, huh? Maybe you’ve heard the hills are alive, but you’re really wondering what comes out of people’s mouths there. Let’s grab a coffee and hash this out.

The short answer is German. Yep, Austrian people speak German. But—and this is a big, dramatic, “wait for it” but—it’s not the German you learned in high school.

It’s a Whole Different Flavor

Think of it like this: British English vs. American English. Same parent language, but one says “lorry” and the other says “truck.” Austrian German is like that, but with more yodeling potential.

Officially, the language is called Österreichisches Deutsch (Austrian German). It’s the standard, fancy version used in schools, news, and government. You can speak regular, textbook German there, and people will understand you just fine.

But you might not understand them right back. That’s where the fun begins.

Enter the Dialects

Austrians love their dialects. I mean, they really, really love them. In everyday life, most people are not speaking that clean, straight-laced German you practiced on Duolingo.

They’re speaking Mundart (local dialect). It’s like a secret handshake for everyone who grew up there. If you roll into a Vienna coffeehouse and say, “Grüß Gott” (the traditional hello), you’ll sound like a local. If you say “Hallo, wie geht’s?” you’ll sound like a tourist—but a polite one.

And here’s the kicker: the dialects change every 30 kilometers. No joke. A person from Tyrol (the mountainous, ski-bunny region) might talk so fast and thick that someone from Vienna (the capital) scratches their head.

The Words That Make You Go “Huh?”

Let’s talk about some classic Austrian words. First up: Semmel. In Germany, that’s a bread roll. In Austria? Same thing. But if you ask for a Brötchen in Vienna, they’ll look at you like you just ordered a sandwich made of rainbows.

Then there’s Erdapfel instead of Kartoffel for potato. Yes, it literally means “earth apple.” How adorable is that? And Palatschinken instead of Pfannkuchen for pancakes. Say it slowly: Pal-ah-tschin-ken. It tastes as good as it sounds.

Oh, and numbers? They say eins for one, but in casual speech it becomes oans. And “two” (zwei) turns into zwoa. It’s like they’re playing a game of “let’s make pronunciation more fun.”

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Do They Speak English?

You’re in luck. Most Austrians speak English—especially younger folks, waiters, and anyone under 40. In Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck, you can just walk up and say, “Excuse me, where’s the schnitzel?” and get a perfectly good answer in English.

But here’s a pro tip: they really appreciate it if you try a few words of their German. Even just “Danke” (thank you) or “Bitte” (please/you’re welcome) will make them smile. It’s like offering a tiny, verbal gift.

Wait, Isn’t There Hungarian or Something?

Good question! Austria is a multicultural place. In certain regions, you’ll hear Hungarian, Slovenian, or Croatian—especially near the borders. These are officially recognized minority languages.

But don’t stress. Unless you’re hiking in the middle of nowhere, you’ll survive with English and a bad accent. And if you’re hiking in the middle of nowhere with a bad accent, you’ll probably still meet a friendly farmer who gestures “schnitzel that way.”

One More Confusing Thing

Here’s a trap for the unwary: the word “Servus.” It sounds like a fancy Italian pasta, right? Nope. It means “hello” and “goodbye.” Yes, same word. You say it when you arrive and when you leave. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of greetings.

And then there’s “Oida” (literally “old one”). In Vienna, people throw this around like confetti. It means “dude” or “man.” So you might hear, “Oida, wo is das Bier?” (Dude, where’s the beer?). Don’t be alarmed. They’re just being friendly.

The Verdict

So what language do people in Austria speak? German—but with a colorful, quirky, “we do it our way” attitude. Plus a generous splash of dialects, a pinch of other languages, and a whole lot of English handy for when you get lost.

Bottom line? You don’t need to be fluent. Just show up with a smile, a “Grüß Gott” or a “Servus,” and a willingness to nod and laugh when someone says, “Hobma an Oaschwappler?” (That’s a real Austrian phrase for a casual drink. I promise.)

Now go book your trip. And prost (cheers) to speaking a little Austrian German—even if you butcher it. They’ll love you for trying.