Austrian, do you usually say " Servus" , "Grüß Gott " or "Griassdi" ? ?

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Martin S

It depends to whom you speak.
"Grüß Gott" is the universal greeting formula here in Austria (and in parts of Bavaria). You use it when meeting someone with whom you are not on a first name basis. You can use it at any time of the day, nevertheless in the morning (until maybe 10 am) "Guten Morgen" is more often used.
I regard "Servus" and "Griass di" almost equal. Used for someone you are at first name basis - "griass di" maybe for someone you are not that close.
Nowadays often a simple "Hallo" has replaced both.
In more rural areas "griass di" is more often used than "Servus".
Also often heard are combinations
"Servus, griass di" or "Hallo, griass di" or "Griass di, hallo"

A slight correction to a previous poster regarding the "Frau Doktor" was not only used for a physicians wife but for the wife of every man who had a doctor's degree (PhD, MD etc). But this is really old fashioned but still used by older people, waiters, shop keepers when they know the husband - which is more and more unlikely as shopping get's more and more anonymous.

amphitryon

let me put a slightly different spin on this:

Servus -- like "hello" in passing or as a good bye. less often used when you meet someone.

Grüß Gott - Good day (otherwise it would be "guten Tag", "guten Morgen" or "guten Abend" or "gute Nacht" - if you were to be more specific !) - most often used when entering a place of business, restaurant , an elevator etc. - a greeting extended to all within earshot.
when used on a personal level, then you'd say Grüß Gott Herr/Frau xyz, etc. - or adding a title. My personal favourite: "Grüß Gott Frau Doktor" when only he is the physician!! truly Austrian

Griass Di (or "griaß Di") are actually two words, "grüße Dich" and used only if you know the person well enough to be on a "per Du" level.

and for those who really want to get into it, there's one more:
"Küß die Hand gnä(dige) Frau" - hard to translate, old school but still in use. you can just say it across a street in passing, or with a real "Handkuß" (google this if you don't know), if your'e close up.

nes

I absolutely agree with amphitryon - another thing you might add is that it also depends on the region you are in Austria - in Salzburg you won't find many people saying Servus. (I think it is not common in the western part of Austria)
Grüß Gott means the same as Griassdi - the only difference is that you won't say Griassdi to a stranger - there you say Grüß Gott.

I found something like a "welcome folder" for students from abroad for an Austrian university - maybe you'll find something interesting in there (look from page 5 - 1-4 is just the normal introduction thing) http://www.unileoben.ac.at/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=88&Itemid=392

I hope this helped a little,

greets from austria,

ines

Conte

Let me get you my opinion, without any further etymological excursion:

"Servus" is a more intimate greeting between friends, relatives and really good acquaintances. compare it with "hey". However, "Servus" is also used when you leave, compare it with "so long" or "see you".

"Grüß Gott" is the formal and universal "Good Day" in Austria (and Bavaria) (only some "snobby" or haughty Viennese say "Guten Tag", Good Day).

"Griaß Di" is the "Grüß Gott" between friends, who say "du" (not "Sie") to each other, compare it with "hi" or "hello".

Ciao, Servus and Good Bye

Waschzuber

okay then.. ;-)

servus = (latin) the slave = means: I am your servant / at your service
Grüß Gott = Es grüße(segne) dich Gott = may God bless you
(sometimes this is false intepreted see wiki for that)
Griassdi = Grüß dich = be blessed

theres no real difference, just use them as you like .. you can response the one with another

be careful with the pronunciation of griassdi:

griasdi = informal
griassi = formal

if you have a sharp s you get Grüazi: wich is the greeting in swizzerland.

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