Which one should you use?
While grüßen is the general term for greeting or saluting, begrüßen is specifically used when the context involves welcoming someone or greeting them at the moment they arrive.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In southern Germany, Austria and other southern German-speaking areas, people commonly use the expression Grüß Gott. In northern Germany, the informal greeting Moin is common and the variation Moin Moin is a particularly friendly and informal way to say hi in coastal areas. In southern Germany and Austria, the informal greeting Servus is also frequently used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb grüßen takes a direct accusative object, meaning you greet someone (jemanden) directly without using a preposition.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡʁyːsən/
When do people say it?
When greeting someone formally in Germany throughout the day, you can use Guten Tag (Good day). Depending on the time of day, formal options include Guten Morgen (used during the morning hours until around noon) and Guten Abend (used after sunset or during the evening). If meeting someone formally for the first time, Sehr erfreut can be used to express that you are very pleased.
Did you know?
- If you use the greeting Servus in Bavaria or Austria, you are using a word that originally meant 'slave' or 'servant', signifying a readiness to serve.
- While Moin is used as a greeting in northern Germany, it is often used throughout the entire day and not just in the morning.
- In the coastal north, repeating the greeting as Moin Moin is often perceived as more intense or even slightly suspicious compared to a single Moin.
Examples in context
- Die Todgeweihten grüßen dich.Those who are about to die salute you.This sentence is useful for seeing grüßen used in a phrase.Tatoeba #432425 by jerom, translation #432426 by Clavain
- Sehr erfreut, Sie kennenzulernenVery pleased to meet you
- Die Soldaten grüßen den General.The soldiers salute the general.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are watching a military parade.
- MaximilianSiehst du, wie sie den Kommandanten grüßen?Do you see how they salute the commander?
- JuliaJa, Maximilian, das sieht sehr beeindruckend aus.Yes, Maximilian, that looks very impressive.
- MaximilianDer ganze Trupp wird die Ehre erweisen.The whole troop will pay their respects.
- JuliaIch finde die Disziplin toll.I find the discipline great.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry grüßen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
