Different Ways to Say Hello in German: Formal, Informal & Regional Greetings

Learning how to greet in German is one of the first steps to feeling comfortable in the language. A simple “hallo” is a good start, but German offers a rich variety of greeting phrases for different situations. From informal and formal German greetings to regional expressions and time-specific hellos, mastering these will help you sound more natural and polite. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover German ways to say hello (including pronunciation tips and English translations), share cultural notes on greeting etiquette, and show you when to use each greeting. Whether you’re wondering how to say hi in German to a friend or how to greet in German during a business meeting, we’ve got you covered with essential German greeting phrases.

Explore Our Top-Rated German Lessons

Formal German Greetings: Polite Ways to Greet Someone

In German-speaking countries, it’s best to start with formal greetings when you’re meeting someone for the first time or addressing people like elders, professionals, or those in authority. Formal greetings show respect and are appropriate in business or other professional settings. Here are the most common polite ways to say hello in German:

Guten Morgen – “Good Morning”

Pronunciation: GOO-ten MOR-gen (the g is hard, as in go)Meaning: Good morning. This is a courteous greeting used early in the day, typically until around midday. Use Guten Morgen when you want to greet someone before lunchtime in a polite way. For example, “Guten Morgen, Frau Schmidt.” (Good morning, Mrs. Schmidt.) Note that Guten Morgen can be used in both formal and semi-casual situations; it’s a friendly yet respectful way to start the day.

Guten Tag – “Good Day”

Pronunciation: GOO-ten Tahk (rhymes with rock)Meaning: Good day. Guten Tag is one of the most versatile German greetings. It literally means “good day” and is equivalent to a formal “hello” or “good afternoon” in English. You can use Guten Tag throughout the day, roughly from noon until early evening. It’s appropriate for meeting someone in a store, greeting a colleague, or addressing a stranger politely. For example, “Guten Tag, Herr Müller.” (Good day, Mr. Müller.) This phrase works well in almost any polite context and is understood across all German-speaking regions.

Guten Abend – “Good Evening”

Pronunciation: GOO-ten AH-bent (the d is soft, almost like a t)Meaning: Good evening. Use Guten Abend to greet someone in the evening (generally after dusk, around 6 p.m. and later). It’s a formal or polite greeting, suitable when arriving at a restaurant for dinner or joining an evening event. For instance, you might say “Guten Abend, meine Damen und Herren.” (Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.) As with other time-specific greetings, Germans often shorten this in casual situations (you might just hear Abend!, see the Time-Specific Greetings section below), but using the full Guten Abend adds a polite tone.

Grüß Gott – “God Greets You” (Southern formal greeting)

Pronunciation: GREWSS gott (pronounce grüß with a rounded lips “ü” sound; it rhymes with juice). Meaning: Literally “Greet God,” this expression is a formal greeting traditional in southern Germany and Austria. Despite the literal religious phrasing, Grüß Gott is used as a polite hello rather than a religious statement. You’ll hear it often in Bavaria and Austria, especially from older generations or in rural areas. It carries a warm, respectful tone. For example, entering a small shop in Munich, the shopkeeper might say “Grüß Gott!” instead of Hallo. If you’re in these regions, using Grüß Gott in formal or semi-formal situations (like greeting a host or an elder) will mark you as someone who appreciates the local custom.

Cultural note: In formal situations, it’s also polite to address the person using their title and last name. For example, you might say “Guten Tag, Herr Doktor Schmidt,” if Schmidt has a doctorate, or “Guten Morgen, Frau Becker,” for Mrs. Becker. Germans tend to continue using formal Sie (you) and titles until invited to switch to first names. When in doubt, default to a formal greeting and title – it shows respect.

Read our related post on German greetings for every time of day.

Informal German Greetings: How to Say “Hi” in German

With friends, family, and people your own age that you know well, you can use more relaxed greetings. Informal German greetings are great when you want to say “hi” or “hey” in a casual way. Here are the most common ones:

Hallo – “Hello”

Pronunciation: hah-LOH (similar to English “hollow” without the w)Meaning: Hello. This is the all-purpose informal greeting in German. Hallo is used just like “hello” in English. You can say Hallo to friends, classmates, coworkers you’re on first-name basis with, and even in many everyday situations like when you walk into a bakery or meet a group of people socially. It’s friendly but not overly familiar, so it works in most casual contexts. For example: “Hallo, Julia! Wie war dein Wochenende?” (Hello, Julia! How was your weekend?). If you’re ever unsure how to greet someone casually, Hallo is a safe choice – it’s simple and universally understood.

Hi – “Hi”

Pronunciation: hie (just like English “hi”)Meaning: Hi. Germans often use “Hi” as a direct borrowing from English, especially among younger people or in informal settings. It conveys the same casual friendliness as in English. You might say Hi when you meet your friends at a café or when greeting peers. Example: “Hi, zusammen!” (Hi, everyone!). Since hi is international, it’s easy for beginners – just remember it’s strictly informal.

Hey – “Hey”

Pronunciation: hay (as in English “hay”) Meaning: Hey. Another friendly, very casual greeting. Hey in German is used much like hi – perhaps among close friends, or to get someone’s attention in a cheerful way. For instance, “Hey Tom, alles klar?” (Hey Tom, everything alright?). Like in English, hey feels a bit more enthusiastic or informal than just hallo. It’s perfect for friends you haven’t seen in a while or starting a lighthearted conversation.

Na? – “Hi, how’s it going?” (very informal)

Pronunciation: nah? (short and clipped, often said with a slight upward intonation)Meaning: Literally “Well…?”, but in conversation, na? is a very informal way to say “hey, what’s up?”. This one is popular among close friends or young people. Just na on its own is like a casual “So, how are things?” and often functions as a greeting. For example, you might walk into a room of friends and say “Na, alles klar?” (Well, everything good?) and they might just respond “Na!” meaning “Yep, all good.” It’s a friendly, quick way to acknowledge someone you know well. Because na? is so short, it usually comes with a smile, nod, or other body language to indicate you’re greeting them. Avoid using na? in any formal setting or with people you don’t know — it would be too familiar.

Hallöchen – “Little Hello” (playful)

Pronunciation: hah-LUR-hyen (the ö sounds like er in her). Meaning: “Hello there” or literally “little hello.” Hallöchen is a cute, playful greeting derived from Hallo (adding -chen makes it a diminutive). It’s similar to saying “helloo-o” or “hiya” in a sweet tone. Use Hallöchen with close friends or children, or when you want to be a bit charming or funny. For example, answering a friend’s phone call, you might sing-song “Hallöchen!” to set a light mood. It’s definitely informal – you wouldn’t use this at work unless you’re very friendly with colleagues. This greeting shows the fun side of German: a language that can even make a hello sound adorable!

Cultural note: When greeting friends in Germany, a handshake isn’t necessary. Among close friends or younger people, a brief hug is common, especially if you haven’t seen each other in a while. Younger people might also do a quick Bussi (cheek kiss) on one side or both, but this varies – Germans aren’t as big on cheek-kissing as some other European cultures, though it can happen among close female friends or relatives. Generally, a friendly Hallo or Hi with a smile will do. Save the firm handshake for formal introductions; with friends, you can be more relaxed.

Regional German Greetings: Say Hello Like a Local

Just as English greetings vary by country (“howdy” in Texas vs. “hiya” in London), German has regional ways to say hello. If you travel to different German-speaking areas, you’ll encounter these unique greetings. Using them correctly can help you blend in and show cultural respect. Here are some popular regional greetings in German and where to use them:

Moin – “Hello” (Northern Germany)

Pronunciation: moyn (rhymes with coin)Region: Predominantly northern Germany (e.g. Hamburg, Bremen, North Sea coast).Meaning: Hi / Hello. Moin originally comes from a regional word for “morning,” but nowadays it’s used any time of day as a casual greeting in northern regions. It’s short, snappy, and very local – almost a cultural emblem of the North. You might hear “Moin, moin!” as well – doubling it can sound even friendlier or more emphatic. For example, in Hamburg someone might say “Moin!” instead of Guten Tag when you enter a cafe. If you respond with Moin in kind, locals will appreciate it. Keep in mind, Moin is informal, so use it for peers or in relaxed settings (though up north, it’s so common even some shopkeepers might greet customers this way). It would sound a bit odd in the south of Germany – it’s strongly associated with northern folksy charm.

Servus – “Hello” or “Bye” (Southern Germany & Austria)

Pronunciation: SEHR-voos (the r is lightly rolled, and v sounds like f)Region: Common in Bavaria (southern Germany), Austria, and South Tyrol (Italian Alps German-speaking area).Meaning: Hi (also Bye). Servus is a warm, informal greeting used among friends and acquaintances in the south. Fun fact: Servus comes from Latin, meaning “at your service,” but in modern use it just implies friendliness. You can say Servus when you meet someone and again when parting – it works both as “hello” and “see ya.” For example, meeting a group of friends in Munich, you might wave and say “Servus, wie geht’s?” (Hi, how’s it going?). It’s roughly equivalent to “Hey there!” in tone. Because it’s informal, don’t use Servus in a business meeting – but do use it to charm your local friends.

Grüezi – “Hello” (Switzerland)

Pronunciation: GRUEH-tsee (hard g, and üe sounds like a quick ue blending oo and ee)Region: German-speaking Switzerland, especially in Zürich, Bern, Basel, and surrounding areas.Meaning: Hello. Grüezi (sometimes spelt Grüezi or Grüessech in dialect spelling) is the go-to greeting in Swiss German areas for polite encounters. It’s considered polite and semi-formal – you can use it with strangers, when entering a shop, or with coworkers in Switzerland. For example, you might say “Grüezi, ich hätte gern einen Kaffee.” (Hello, I’d like a coffee.) to a barista in Zürich. When greeting multiple people, Swiss Germans will often say Grüezi mitenand, meaning “hello everyone”. Keep in mind that in Switzerland, people may also just say Hallo in casual settings, but using Grüezi is a respectful way to greet someone, much like Guten Tag in Germany.

Grüß dich / Grüß Sie – “Greetings to you”

Pronunciation: GREWSS diHH (for dich) / GREWSS zee (for Sie).Region: Mostly southern Germany and Austria, occasionally elsewhere.Meaning: “Greetings to you.” These are variations of the greeting grüßen (to greet) combined with “you.” Grüß dich uses the informal dich (you), so it means “hi there” (very informal, often used by older generations or in Austria casually). Grüß Sie uses formal Sie, essentially meaning “I greet you (formally),” and is a polite greeting toward someone you don’t know well, particularly heard in Austria or Bavaria. For example, an older shopkeeper in Salzburg might say “Grüß Sie!” to a customer, as a variant of Grüß Gott. These forms are less common than the others above, but you might encounter them. If someone says “Grüß dich!” to you, it’s a friendly hello (you can reply with Hallo or the same phrase). If you hear “Grüß Sie,” you can simply respond Guten Tag or Grüß Sie in return. They reflect a bit of old-fashioned charm in German greetings.

Tip: If you’re travelling, it’s a good idea to listen and mirror the local greeting. In Northern Germany, say Moin when appropriate, in Vienna, feel free to say Servus with friends, and in Zürich, try a polite Grüezi with shop owners. Locals will appreciate your effort to use their way of speaking. It’s an easy ice-breaker and shows you care about the culture.

For more information on German dialects and regional variations, read our designated post.

Time-Specific German Greetings: Morning, Afternoon, Evening

German also has greetings that reference the time of day, similar to “good morning” or “good night” in English. We touched on some of these in the formal section (Guten Morgen, Guten Abend). Here we’ll summarise the main time-specific greetings and their usage. In many cases, Germans may shorten these in casual speech:

• Guten Morgen! – “Good morning!” Use this greeting in the morning hours (until noon). It’s polite and can be used formally or informally. Don’t be surprised if a friend just says Morgen! Instead of the full phrase, it’s a common casual shorthand. Morgen! by itself is like saying “Mornin’!” in English. For example, coworkers who know each other might just nod and say “Morgen!” when arriving at work.

• (Guten) Nachmittag! – “Good afternoon!” Technically, Guten Nachmittag means good afternoon, but honestly, Germans rarely use Guten Nachmittag as a set greeting. You’re more likely to continue saying Guten Tag throughout the afternoon. If someone does say Schönen Nachmittag noch! it’s usually as a farewell (“Have a nice afternoon!”). So you can consider Guten Tag to cover the afternoon greeting.

• Guten Abend! – “Good evening!” As mentioned, use this after roughly 6 p.m. for a polite hello in the evening. In casual settings, people might drop the Guten and simply say Abend! when greeting familiar folks later in the day. For instance, arriving at a casual get-together at 8 p.m., you could smile and say “Abend zusammen!” (Evening, everyone!) in a cheery tone.

• Gute Nacht! – “Good night!” This one is a bit different – Gute Nacht is not usually said when you meet someone, but rather when you or the other person is leaving to go home or to bed at late night. It’s equivalent to “good night” as a farewell. So you wouldn’t start a conversation with Gute Nacht (it would sound like you’re saying goodbye as soon as you say hello). Instead, if it’s very late and you are parting ways, you can use it to wish someone a good night’s rest.

Note: Germans have a habit of efficiency in language, which is why you hear the shortened “Morgen!”, “Tag!”, “Abend!” in informal contexts. These are understood as casual greetings among colleagues, neighbours, or people in informal situations. However, in writing (like emails) or when speaking to someone formally, it’s best to use the full Guten Morgen/Tag/Abend for politeness.

German Greeting Etiquette and Cultural Tips

Knowing the words to say hello is one thing, but understanding German greeting etiquette will help you make the right impression. Here are some cultural tips to keep in mind when greeting Germans:

 A firm handshake with direct eye contact is the typical German greeting in formal situations.

• Handshake and eye contact: In Germany, a firm handshake is the standard greeting in formal or business settings. When you meet someone for the first time, or when greeting a group at a meeting, shake hands with everyone (usually once each) while saying your Guten Tag or Guten Abend. Make sure to maintain direct eye contact during the handshake – this conveys confidence and respect. A limp handshake or avoiding eye contact might be interpreted as disinterest. Also, if you’re entering a small gathering, it’s customary to greet everyone present (with a handshake formally or a general hello informally).

• Use formal titles until invited otherwise: Germans are generally more formal when first meeting people. Use Herr (Mr.) or Frau (Ms./Mrs.) plus the last name to address someone you don’t know well (Guten Tag, Herr Meier). Continue using Sie (formal “you”) and titles until the person says you can use du and first name. This might happen after you’ve gotten acquainted – often the older or higher-ranked person will suggest it. It’s a sign of friendliness when someone says “Bitte, sag du” (please, use du with me). Until then, sticking to formal address is the polite route.

• Who greets whom: In German culture, if you’re in a group or arriving somewhere, typically the person entering a room or joining a group is expected to offer the first greeting (unlike some cultures where the junior person waits). For example, if you arrive at a doctor’s waiting room or join colleagues already sitting at a table, you might say “Guten Tag zusammen” (good day everyone) or simply “Hallo”. Also, there is a gentleman’s custom: men usually greet women first and wait for the woman to extend her hand if a handshake is to happen. So if you’re male meeting a female business associate, let her offer her hand first.

• Personal space and physical greetings: Aside from the handshake, Germans generally value a bit of personal space. A brief hug is only for good friends or family. Cheek kisses are not common in formal settings – they might occur between close friends or relatives, but even then, it might be just one quick kiss on the cheek or a half-hug, not the multi-kiss greetings found in some other European countries. When in doubt, a handshake or just a verbal greeting with a smile is perfectly fine.

• Punctuality matters: This might not sound directly related to saying hello, but being on time is considered part of respectful interaction in Germany. If you’re meeting someone or arriving at an appointment, being punctual (or a few minutes early) means you’ll be greeting them at the expected time. If you are late and people have been waiting, it’s polite to include a quick apology in your greeting, e.g. “Entschuldigung für die Verspätung, Guten Abend allerseits.” (Apologies for being late, good evening everyone.) A small cultural insight: acknowledging timeliness (or tardiness) shows you respect the other person’s time, which is an important aspect of German professionalism.

By understanding these cultural cues, your German greetings will come across as confident and courteous. A smile and a proper greeting appropriate to the context go a long way to making a great first impression in any language. As the Cultural Atlas of German culture notes, the default greeting is a handshake with a hello, and close friends may hug instead – so adapt your greeting style based on how well you know someone.

Conclusion: Practice Your German Greetings

Mastering the different ways to say hello in German will enrich your interactions and help you feel at home in German-speaking environments. You’ve learned formal greetings like Guten Tag, informal ones like Hallo and Na?, regional gems such as Moin and Servus, and even when to use each greeting. Remember to consider the setting and relationship – use formal greetings in professional situations and switch to informal ones with friends or peers. And don’t forget those cultural tips: a nice firm handshake and a polite Guten Tag go hand-in-hand (literally!) in many situations.

Now, it’s time to put these greetings into practice. Next time you meet a German speaker, try greeting them with a friendly “Hallo” or an authentic local phrase like “Grüß Gott” if you’re in Bavaria – you’re sure to earn a smile. Learning these German greeting phrases is an excellent first step in your language journey. Viel Erfolg beim Deutschlernen! (Good luck learning German!)

If you enjoyed this guide on how to greet in German, keep the momentum going! Check out our blog for more posts on German language and culture (we regularly share tips on speaking naturally and understanding German customs). Better yet, come and practice with us in person or online – we offer German lessons for beginners and private tuition tailored to your needs. 💬✨ Greeting someone with confidence is just the beginning – with the right guidance, you’ll be holding full conversations in German before you know it. Start your German learning journey today by exploring our German classes for beginners and private German tuition options, and don’t forget to browse our blog posts on language and culture for more insights, such as how to say please and thank you in German and other essential phrases in German for your next trip. Auf Wiedersehen und happy learning!

#helloingerman #greetingsingerman