servus
/ˈzɛʁvʊs/
hello or goodbye (informal)
Servus, wie geht's?
Hello, how are you?
informal
An informal greeting or farewell, similar to 'hi' or 'bye'
Servus, lass uns gehen!
Bye, let's go!
Common in Southern Germany, Austria, and Bavaria. Can be used for both greetings and farewells.
Pro Tip
Regional Usage
Servus is most common in Bavaria, Austria, and South Tyrol. In Northern Germany, it may be unfamiliar.
Word Origin
From Latin 'servus' (slave), originally used as a polite form of address in medieval times.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in informal contexts, especially in Southern German-speaking regions. Avoid in formal settings.
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