How to Say “Please” in Austria (Austrian German)

By Victoria Beatrice • Updated October 16, 2026

Bitte

neutral

In Austria "please" is Bitte. Bitte schön and Bitte sehr are warmer and are also said when handing something over.

Meaning: polite request (phrase)

Ways to say it

“please” in German
German	Note
Bitte	neutral
Bitte schön	polite
Bitte sehr	polite

Add bitte to any request, as in Einen Kaffee, bitte. The same word also means "you are welcome" when someone thanks you.

Which one should you use?

Austrians use Bitte schön often in shops and cafés, for example when giving you your change or your order.

Did you know?

Semmel is the Austrian word for a bread roll, where Germany often says Brötchen.

Examples in context

Einen Kaffee, bitte.
A coffee, please.
Können Sie mir bitte helfen?
Can you please help me?
Bitte schön, Ihr Wechselgeld.
Here you go, your change.

Example conversation

Eva orders at a bakery in Vienna from a baker named Josef.

Eva

Grüß Gott, zwei Semmeln, bitte.
Hello, two rolls, please.
Josef

Bitte schön. Sonst noch etwas?
Here you go. Anything else?
Eva

Nein, danke.
No, thanks.

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About The Author

Victoria Beatrice

Hallo, ich heiße Victoria. As an author and an ardent lover of German culture and language, I have written myriad posts to help you master it too. From saying 'Are You OK?' to 'Soft Skills', I provide diverse language guides. When I'm not jotting down these pocket-sized language lessons, you'd probably find me on a bicycle kick en route the nearest bakery for fresh croissants, or sipping hot chocolate while unwinding with a good book. I firmly believe in Lifelong learning, Danke schön und bis bald!

Victoria BeatriceHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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