Austria, with its stunning alpine landscapes and vibrant cultural scene, is a dream destination for travelers. While many Austrians speak English, making an effort to communicate in the local language can greatly enrich your experience. Here’s a list of 10 indispensable phrases every traveler to Austria should have in their language toolkit, complete with a pronunciation guide to help you speak confidently.
1. Greetings:
Hello!
German: Hallo!
Pronunciation: Hah-loh!
Good morning!
German: Guten Morgen!
Pronunciation: Gooten Mor-gen!
Good evening!
German: Guten Abend!
Pronunciation: Gooten Ah-bend!
2. Politeness:
Please.
German: Bitte.
Pronunciation: Bit-teh.
Thank you.
German: Danke.
Pronunciation: Dan-keh.
You’re welcome.
German: Bitte schön.
Pronunciation: Bit-teh shurn.
3. Asking for Help:
Excuse me.
German: Entschuldigung.
Pronunciation: Ent-shul-di-gung.
Can you help me?
German: Können Sie mir helfen?
Pronunciation: Kuh-nen Zee meer helf-en?
4. Ordering Food:
I would like…
German: Ich hätte gerne…
Pronunciation: Ikh hat-teh gern-eh…
The bill, please.
German: Die Rechnung, bitte.
Pronunciation: Dee Rekh-nung, bit-teh.
5. Getting Around:
Where is the…?
German: Wo ist…?
Pronunciation: Vo ist…?
How much is the ticket?
German: Wie viel kostet die Fahrkarte?
Pronunciation: Vee feel kost-et dee Far-kart-eh?
Bonus Phrase:
I don’t speak German well.
German: Ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch.
Pronunciation: Ikh shpre-khe nikht goot Doytch.
Armed with these essential phrases, you’ll find yourself navigating the charming streets of Vienna, ordering delicious Austrian cuisine, and connecting with locals on a whole new level. Embrace the language, immerse yourself in the culture, and make your Austrian adventure truly unforgettable!