Perhaps one of the hardest things I had to get used to as a foreigner in Austria trying to learn German was the Austrian accent. It differs from the regular Hochdeutch, which is what is taught in schools, in that both pronunciation and vocabulary are different, but not substantially different. For example, instead of the usual Tomato in Germany, you would call it a Paradeiser in Austria. Saying Guten Tag in Austria pegs you as a German—say Grüß Gott to greet someone instead. And it took me a month or two to discern just what it was they say that is exchangeable with Auf wiedersehen—it’s Auf wiederschauen and is just as common.

Here is a short list of the words I encountered the most during my stay in Austria.

Powidltascherl – a plum-filled pastry

Erdapfel – potato; usually Kartoffel

Paradeiser – tomato

Marille – apricot; usually Aprikose

Bub – young boy; usually Junge

Grüß Gott – Guten Tag

Auf Wiederschauen – Auf wiedersehen

Pfiati or Pfüat di – Austrian dialect for es behüte dich Gott, the equivalent of “take care!” (lit. “God be with you!”)

Eh – does not function well