Informal greetings in German are used to say hello, start conversations, and express goodwill in casual settings. They vary by region and situation but generally involve simple words or short phrases that convey friendliness. These greetings can be used with friends, family members, and peers—anyone you would address without using formal titles or polite forms.
Common Informal Greetings
These are some of the most widely used informal greetings in German. They can be used throughout the day and are appropriate for casual encounters.
| German Greeting | English Translation | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hallo | Hello | Universal casual greeting, used at any time of day. |
| Hi | Hi | Borrowed from English, common among younger speakers. |
| Hey | Hey | Very casual, often used among friends. |
| Guten Morgen | Good morning | Can be used informally in the morning. |
| Guten Tag | Good day | More neutral; can be informal in some contexts. |
| Servus | Hi / Bye | Common in southern Germany and Austria. |
Regional Variations
Informal greetings in German can vary significantly by region. Here are a few examples:
| German Greeting | English Translation | Region | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moin | Hi | Northern Germany | Used any time of day, especially in Hamburg and surrounding areas. |
| Grüß dich | Hello | Southern Germany, Austria | Literally “greet yourself”; very common in Bavaria and Austria. |
| Hoi | Hi | Switzerland | Informal Swiss German greeting. |
| Tach | Hi | Central Germany | Short form of “Guten Tag,” used in informal settings. |
Greetings for Different Times of Day
While informal greetings often abbreviate or simplify the formal ones, you can still use time-specific greetings in casual speech.
| German Greeting | English Translation | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morgen! | Morning! | Short for “Guten Morgen,” used among friends. |
| Abend! | Evening! | Short for “Guten Abend,” used informally in the evening. |
| Schönen Tag! | Have a nice day! | Friendly farewell, can be informal. |
Which informal greeting is a shortened form of “Guten Morgen”?
Morgen!
“Morgen!” is a casual, shortened form of “Guten Morgen” used among friends.
Asking “How Are You?” Informally
After greeting someone, it’s common to ask how they are. These informal questions help keep the conversation going.
| German Phrase | English Translation | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wie geht’s? | How’s it going? | Very common informal phrase. |
| Wie läuft’s? | How’s it running? | More casual/slangy. |
| Alles klar? | Everything clear? | Used like “Everything good?” in English. |
| Na, alles gut? | So, all good? | Friendly and casual. |
Informal Farewells
Informal greetings often have matching informal ways to say goodbye.
| German Farewell | English Translation | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tschüss | Bye | Very common informal goodbye. |
| Ciao | Bye | Borrowed from Italian, used informally. |
| Bis später | See you later | Casual, implies you’ll meet again soon. |
| Mach’s gut | Take care | Friendly and informal. |
| Servus | Bye | Also used as a farewell in southern Germany/Austria. |
How do you say “Take care” informally in German?
Mach’s gut
“Mach’s gut” literally means “Make it good” and is used informally to say “Take care.”
Which informal farewell is borrowed from Italian and used casually in German?
Ciao
“Ciao” is borrowed from Italian and used informally as both greeting and farewell.
Tips for Using Informal Greetings
- Use du form: Informal greetings typically go with the “du” (you) form.
- Pay attention to context: Avoid informal greetings in professional or unfamiliar situations.
- Listen and adapt: Germans often adjust their greeting style based on the setting.
- Smile and be natural: A friendly tone is more important than exact words.
Informal German greetings are a key part of everyday conversation. They help build rapport and make interactions feel warm and natural.
Flashcards (1 of 22)
- Usage Notes: Universal casual greeting, used at any time of day.
- English Translation: Hello
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
