How do you speak the right dialect at the Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest: Learn Bavarian for the Oktoberfest
The Oktoberfest is of course international, but sometimes it can be an advantage or at least quite nice if you know a few words in Bavarian. We have compiled the most important terms and phrases for you here:
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Beer and pretzel
The most important word at the Oktoberfest that you must be able to pronounce in Bavarian is, of course, the “Maß”. The a is pronounced short and the ß like a double S, i.e. “MaSS”. If you keep this in mind, you'll be a hit not only with the Oktoberfest waiters.
Almost as important as the Maß is the “Breze” at the Oktoberfest. Although that's wrong again, because if you want to pronounce it in Bavarian, you say “Brezn”. So without the second e and with an n at the end. Words like pretzel or pretzel should be avoided in the presence of locals in the marquee.
Bavarian words for the Oktoberfest
So you've already learned the two most important Oktoberfest words and their correct pronunciation. We have put together a few other Bavarian words and their translations for you here, which you can definitely use to score points at the Oktoberfest:
|
Bavarian |
English |
|---|---|
|
Servus |
Hello/Good bye |
|
Stoß ma o |
Let's have a toast |
|
Hoibs Hendl |
Half chicken |
|
Schweinsbrodn |
Pork roast |
|
Gmiatlich |
Cozy |
|
Gaudi |
Fun |
|
An Guadn |
Enjoy your meal |
|
Noargerl |
Last leftover in the beer mug |
|
Suri |
Intoxication / buzz |
Bairisch-Challenge: Oans, zwoa, drei - g'suffa!
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Bavarian phrases for the Oktoberfest
Here are a few short phrases and idioms that are sure to help you at the Oktoberfest or earn you a few sympathies. And don't worry, you don't have to pronounce every word perfectly - the Bavarians are very tolerant.
|
Bavarian |
English |
|---|---|
|
Tschuidigung, kannts ia no a bisserl zsammrucka, dann kannt i mi a no dazua hocka. |
Excuse me, could you move a little closer together, then I could sit down. |
|
Warat do no a Platzl frei für uns? |
Is there still a place for us here? |
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I hoaß... und kimm aus... |
My name is... and I come from... |
|
Wo kriagt ma na so a scheena Lederhosn/ so scheens Dirndl? |
Where can you get such beautiful lederhosen/ dirndls? |
|
Oans, zwoa, drei, gsuffa! |
One, two, three, drink! (Traditional saying when clinking glasses) |
|
Gehma nauf auf'd Benk. |
Let's stand on the benches. |
|
Etz werats Zeit zum Hoamgeh. |
It's time to go home. |
Bairisch-Challenge: Do legst di nieda!
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Scolding with charm
Of course, mishaps and the little adversities of everyday life also occur at the Oktoberfest. That's why people swear there too. If you know the right Bavarian words, it even has a little charm. We have selected the expressions for you that are not quite so crude.
|
Bavarian |
English |
|---|---|
|
Gäh, Hackozah |
Jesus Christ |
|
Herrschaftszeitn, no amoi |
That can't be true (very loosely translated) |
|
Zefix |
Damn |
|
Des gähd auf koa Kuahaud. |
There's no room for that on a cowhide. Meaning roughly: This is not acceptable. |
Bairisch-Challenge auf der Wiesn: Greizbirnbaumundhollerstaudn!
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Insulting with charm
The following phrases are quite common in the Bavarian language and are not too offensive. Especially as you don't want to start a fight at the Oktoberfest.
|
Bavarian |
English |
|---|---|
|
Du bist doch auf da Brennsuppn dahergschwumma. |
You floated here on flour soup (poor people's food), which means something like: You're stupid. |
|
Schleich di, du Freibierlätschn. |
You better move on, you moocher. |
|
Mia zwoa kemman nimma zam. |
It's not going to work out between us - so let's go our separate ways. |
