What Language Do They Speak In Austria

So, you’re planning a trip to the land of Mozart, schnitzel, and lederhosen, and a terrifying question pops into your head: What language do they actually speak in Austria? Is it German? Is it something else entirely? And will you accidentally order a horse when you ask for water?

Let’s clear up the confusion, shall we?

Yes, the official language of Austria is German. But wait—don’t assume you can just trot out your high school textbook German and waltz through Vienna like a local.

Austrians don’t speak Standard German. They speak Austrian German, which is like regular German, but with a mischievous grin, a few extra vowels, and a completely different vocabulary for pastries.

For example, in Germany, a “tomato” is Tomate. In Austria, it’s Paradeiser. That’s not a typo—it’s a conspiracy to confuse tourists.

But wait, there’s more—dialects!

If you venture outside Vienna, you’ll hit a wall of dialect that sounds like German being spoken by a very friendly drunk owl. The local dialect in Tyrol, for instance, can be so thick that even people from Salzburg need subtitles.

A friend of mine once asked for directions in a village near Innsbruck. The old man pointed and said, “Glei umi und dann obi.” That means “over there and then down,” but it sounds like an alien saying goodbye.

What Language Do People in Austria Speak?

So, if you’re relying on textbook German, prepare for a lot of polite nodding and pretending you understand.

But here’s the shocking part: not everyone speaks German.

In the southern region of Carinthia, you’ll find a Slovene-speaking minority. Yes, people who speak a Slavic language while eating Wiener Schnitzel. It’s like finding a pirate at a ballet—unexpected but oddly charming.

And in the tiny village of Haiming, they speak Alemannic, a dialect so ancient and weird that linguists argue whether it’s German or a time-travel accident.

Do They Speak Austrian In Austria at Michael Blea blog

Oh, and let’s not forget the Burgenland Croatian and Hungarian communities. Austria is like a linguistic buffet where you thought you’d just get sausage, but suddenly there’s goulash and palacsinta.

So, can you get by with English?

Absolutely. Austrians, especially in cities, have excellent English. They learn it in school and practice on American TV shows. You can order strudel, complain about the weather, and even argue about politics—badly—in English.

But if you want to be a hero, learn one phrase: “Servus” (hello and goodbye). Say it with a wink, and locals will think you’ve lived there for decades.

Austria: Languages in Austria

A second key phrase: “Oachkatzlschwoaf.” It means “squirrel’s tail.” Try to pronounce it. I dare you. It’s a loyalty test for tourists.

The takeaway?

Austria is a country where language is a playground, not a prison. They speak German, but a German that’s winking at you from behind a curtain of dialects. And if you get confused, just smile, say “Prost!” (cheers), and nobody cares if you get the grammar wrong.

Just don’t ask for a “Kübel” in a restaurant. In Germany, that’s a bucket. In Austria, it’s a wheelbarrow. You’ll either get a weird look or a very large salad.

So pack your sense of humor, your willingness to mispronounce Kaiserschmarrn, and go. The Austrians will love you even if your German sounds like a cat falling down stairs. Servus!