The German Language

German is the base language from where languages like High and Low German, Dutch and English are derived from. These days German is spoken as an official language of Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and the majority of Switzerland. There are many different dialects, especially in Switzerland and Austria,  South Tyrol in Italy and Limburg in Belguim.  The main dialects that exist within Germany and are large enough to take notice of are Bavarian and Swabian and Badner which cover the whole of southern Germany, Alsatian in France, Plattdeutsch in northern Germany, while Hessian, Saxon, East Frisian and Plattdeutsch are main dialects of the north. It might be noted that Plattdeutsch is the current dialect from where the inhabitants of current day England migrated from.

These days as High German is spoken in all the big cities in Germany, there are German Slang words that are understood all over Germany. Of course regional differences exist. Swiss Slang and Austrian Slang can and usually have their own slang words that are not understood in other German speaking countries.

 

Greetings / Salutations

Adee (Baden)
Adieu

Alles klar/ gut?
Is all well/ good?

Auf Wiederhören
Hear from you again (on the telephone)

Auf Wiedersehen (formal)
See you later

Bis Morgen
See you tomorrow

Bis Bald
See you real soon

Bis Später
See you later

Es geht schon
So- so (reply to how are things?)

Fühlen Sie sich wie zu Hause
Feel at home

Gude
Hey (the state of Hess)

Guten Apettit!
Enjoy your meal

Guten Morgen mein Herr. Haben sie gut geschlafen?
Good morning Sir. Did you sleep well?

Guten Tag
Good day (used until the evening)

Guten Rutsch
Good slide (into the New Year)

Grüss Gott
Greetings to God (used in Baden-Würrtemburg-Bavaria & Austria)

Hallo Alter
Hey dude

Machts gut
Good luck

Komm gut heim
I hope you get home safely

Leb wohl!
Farewell!

Moin
Morning (northern Germany)

Few more of our great German slang pages