Servus!
[SAIR-voos]
Hey! / Bye! (Austria & Bavaria)
Literal gloss:“At your service (from Latin servus)!”
When to use:Used with friends, family, children, students, and anyone on first-name du terms.
Word-by-Word Structure
| German | Meaning | Grammar Note |
|---|---|---|
| Servus | hello / bye (from Latin "your servant") | — |
Across Germany, Austria & Switzerland (DACH)
Germany (DE)
Hallo / Tschüss (North); Servus (South/Bavaria)
Austria (AT)
Servus! (greeting & farewell)
Switzerland (CH)
Hoi / Tschau
Example Sentences in Context
Greeting a friend in Vienna or Munich
Servus, Martin! Schön, dich mal wieder im Beisl zu sehen!
Hey, Martin! Great to see you at the pub again!
Saying goodbye
Ich radle jetzt heim — servus!
I am cycling home now — bye!