servus
/ˈzɛrvʊs/
servus is the German way to say hello and goodbye.
servus is a typical greeting used to say both hello and goodbye in informal settings. While Hallo is the most commonly used informal greeting in Austria, servus serves as a versatile way to greet someone upon arrival or when departing.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the Latin word for 'servant' or 'slave', implying 'at your service'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
servus is an informal greeting used among friends and acquaintances. For more formal or specific situations, you might use Guten Morgen (Good morning) as a polite greeting or Guten Abend (Good evening) as a formal way to say hello in the evening.
Is it said differently in some regions?
servus is used in informal settings, especially in Vienna and some parts of Upper Austria. In other parts of Austria, such as Styria and Carinthia, the informal greeting Servas is used.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɛrvʊs/
Did you know?
- The greeting servus is a shortened version of the Latin phrase servus humillimus, which translates to 'I am your most humble servant'.
- Even though it means 'at your service', you should avoid using servus with a boss or a stranger, as it is strictly for friends and acquaintances.
- In addition to servus, some German speakers use Ciao from Italian as a dual-purpose greeting for both arriving and departing.
Examples in context
- Hallo! Wie geht es dir?Hello! How are you?
- Servus! Bis später!Hello! See you later!
- Servus, wie geht es dir?Hello, how are you?
- Ich sage nur kurz Servus.I'm just saying a quick hello and goodbye.
Example conversation
Julia and Julian meet briefly at a cafe.
- JuliaServus, Julian!Hi, Julian!
- JulianHallo Julia, alles gut?Hello Julia, is everything good?
- JuliaJa, aber ich bin schon spät dran.Yes, but I am already running late.
- JulianKein Problem, servus!No problem, bye!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry servus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries servus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
