English Is Common in Tourist Areas
Most hotel staff, museum employees, and restaurant servers in central Vienna speak English. You can get by entirely in English in tourist areas. However, in local neighborhoods, smaller shops, pharmacies, and on public transport, German is the primary language. A few German phrases go a long way and are appreciated by Viennese locals.
Viennese Dialect Tips
Vienna has its own flavor of German. You will hear these greetings far more often than their standard German equivalents:
- Greetings: Viennese say "Grüß Gott" (grews GOT) instead of "Guten Tag." This literally means "God greets you" and is the standard polite greeting in Austria. Using it will immediately mark you as someone who knows Austrian culture.
- Goodbye: Instead of "Auf Wiedersehen," you will often hear "Baba" (BAH-bah) in casual settings, or "Pfiat di" (PFEE-aht dee) which is an informal "God be with you."
- Thank you: "Dankeschön" works everywhere, but you may also hear "Vergelt's Gott" (fair-GELTS got) in more traditional settings.
- Please/You're welcome: Austrians use "Bitte" (BIT-uh) for please, you're welcome, and here you go. It is the most versatile word in Austrian German.
Accessibility and Mobility
These phrases cover the most common needs for wheelchair users and travelers with mobility limitations.
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ist das rollstuhlgerecht? | ist dahs ROLL-shtool-guh-REKHT? | Is it wheelchair accessible? |
| Gibt es einen Aufzug? | gipt es EYE-nen OWF-tsook? | Is there an elevator? |
| Gibt es eine Rampe? | gipt es EYE-nuh RAHM-puh? | Is there a ramp? |
| Können Sie mir helfen? | KUR-nen zee meer HEL-fen? | Can you help me? |
| Ich sitze im Rollstuhl | ikh ZIT-suh im ROLL-shtool | I use a wheelchair |
| Wo ist die barrierefreie Toilette? | voh ist dee bah-RYEH-ruh-FRY-uh toy-LET-uh? | Where is the accessible toilet? |
| Die Tür ist zu schmal | dee TOOR ist tsoo SHMAHL | The door is too narrow |
| Der Aufzug funktioniert nicht | dair OWF-tsook funk-tsyo-NEERT nikht | The elevator is out of order |
Getting Help and Emergencies
Phrases for situations where you need immediate assistance.
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen | ROO-fen zee EYE-nen KRAN-ken-vah-gen | Call an ambulance |
| Ich habe einen medizinischen Notfall | ikh HAH-buh EYE-nen meh-dee-TSEE-nish-en NOHT-fahl | I have a medical emergency |
| Ich bin allergisch gegen... | ikh bin ah-LAIR-gish GAY-gen... | I am allergic to... |
| Wo ist die nächste Apotheke? | voh ist dee NEKH-stuh ah-po-TAY-kuh? | Where is the nearest pharmacy? |
| Ich habe meine Medikamente verloren | ikh HAH-buh MY-nuh meh-dee-kah-MEN-tuh fair-LOH-ren | I have lost my medication |
| Sprechen Sie Englisch? | SHPREKH-en zee ENG-lish? | Do you speak English? |
Transportation
Phrases for public transport, taxis, and asking for directions.
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ich brauche ein barrierefreies Taxi | ikh BROW-khuh eyen bah-RYEH-ruh-FRY-es TAK-see | I need an accessible taxi |
| Können Sie die Rampe ausklappen? | KUR-nen zee dee RAHM-puh OWS-klah-pen? | Can you fold out the ramp? |
| Hat diese Station einen Aufzug? | haht DEE-zuh shtah-TSYOHN EYE-nen OWF-tsook? | Does this station have an elevator? |
| Ich steige bei der nächsten Haltestelle aus | ikh SHTY-guh bye dair NEKH-sten HAL-tuh-shtel-uh OWS | I am getting off at the next stop |
| Können Sie meinen Rollstuhl in den Kofferraum laden? | KUR-nen zee MY-nen ROLL-shtool in den KOF-fair-rowm LAH-den? | Can you put my wheelchair in the trunk? |
Hotels and Dining
Phrases for checking in, asking about room features, and ordering at restaurants.
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ich habe ein barrierefreies Zimmer reserviert | ikh HAH-buh eyen bah-RYEH-ruh-FRY-es TSIM-air reh-zair-VEERT | I booked an accessible room |
| Hat die Dusche einen Sitz? | haht dee DOO-shuh EYE-nen ZITS? | Does the shower have a seat? |
| Haben Sie einen Tisch im Erdgeschoss? | HAH-ben zee EYE-nen TISH im AIRT-guh-shos? | Do you have a table on the ground floor? |
| Können Sie diesen Stuhl entfernen? | KUR-nen zee DEE-zen SHTOOL ent-FAIR-nen? | Can you remove this chair? |
| Die Rechnung, bitte | dee REKH-noong, BIT-uh | The bill, please |
| Einen Verlängerten, bitte | EYE-nen fair-LENG-air-ten, BIT-uh | A Viennese coffee (long black), please |
Basic Courtesy
Everyday phrases that are appreciated by Viennese locals.
| German/Austrian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Grüß Gott | grews GOT | Hello (Austrian greeting) |
| Dankeschön | DAHN-kuh-shurn | Thank you |
| Bitte | BIT-uh | Please / You're welcome / Here you go |
| Entschuldigung | ent-SHOOL-dee-goong | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Ich verstehe nicht | ikh fair-SHTAY-uh nikht | I do not understand |
| Auf Wiedersehen / Baba | owf VEE-dair-zay-en / BAH-bah | Goodbye (formal / informal) |
Translation Apps
Google Translate and Apple Translate both work offline if you download the German language pack before your trip. Both apps support camera translation, which is useful for reading signs and menus. The camera feature works well for deciphering Austrian German text on restaurant menus and pharmacy packaging.
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