Beyond Guten Morgen: Learn 12 different ways to say good morning in German

Let’s learn about different ways to say good morning in German and explore German culture and their good morning gestures. These good morning phrases will surely help you build some healthy and everlasting relationships.

The early morning is as important to Germans as it is for many other European nations. Even if you don’t usually greet every passing stranger during the day, you can always say “good morning” with a smile to someone in German early in the morning and you will almost always get a response. If you want to take your conversation beyond a simple good morning greeting, you need to be fluent in German Start learning it today to generate lifetime experiences.

In Germany, depending on how it’s said, a simple greeting can convey a lot of excitement. You don’t have to use the overused, almost strange words that every newbie is familiar with. Instead, use these pretty slick ways to look cool and interesting.

What is good morning in the German language

Guten Morgen!

This is the most common way to say good morning in German. You can use it casually with your friends or in an official setting, such as greeting your boss. When you are greeted, you should respond, as it is considered impolite not to.

Remember that Germans are extremely polite, and you don’t want to come across as rude. So, when someone says, Guten Morgen, you should also say, Guten Morgen!

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Grüß Gott

This expression is mostly heard in southern Germany, particularly in Bayern (Bavaria). You can also say Grüß dich to get the party started!

Moin

Northern Germans, on the other hand, frequently use the word Moin, which does not only mean “good morning,” but can also be used at any time of day or night. In Hamburg and Bremen, people also like to use the double form Moin-Moin, which works well with people you know well. Consider it similar to the English ‘yeah-yeah’.

Moin Moin

Here’s a fun twist on moin! Moin Moin translates roughly to “hello there” and should be used with friends or in an informal setting.

Moinsen

Moinsen is an informal alternative to Moin that is commonly used in northern Germany.

Servus

Servus translates to “hello” and is used in many German federal states in the south and middle of the country, as well as in Austria. Surprisingly, servus can be used as both a greeting and a goodbye. It’s not just for the morning; you can use it all day.

Learning different phrases such as good morning, good night, hello or thank you in German can help you hold different formal and informal conversations in German and build some healthy friendships and relationships.  

Mojen

Have you ever visited the country’s capital? Greet friendly “Berliners” with a hearty Mojen and good morning wishes. Most Berliners dislike tourists, but if you say Mojen with a smile, they might mistake you for a local.

Grüezi

Grüezi is a formal greeting that can be used with people of all genders and regardless of your relationship with them.

Grüessech

Grüessech is another way to say “good morning” in Switzerland. Surprisingly, you only use this when you address someone with the formal Sie. If the person is a family member, friend, or close acquaintance, grüezi or any of the other alternatives listed above is a better option.

Hoi

When you are in a more informal setting with friends or family you can opt for hoi, an easy way of saying “good morning”.

Tschau

Do you speak Italian? You might notice that tschau bears resemblance to the Italian “ciao”. This is because some parts of Switzerland border Italy. Tschau is a greeting that can be used both in the morning and throughout the day in these areas.

Sali or Salü

Both sali and salü are derived from the French word salut. Use this greeting in parts of Switzerland that border France. It can be used both in the morning and throughout the day.

If you want to take your conversation beyond a simple good morning, you can use one of the following phrases based on your situation:

– Alles fit im Schritt?  (How is it hanging?)

– Hey, was geht?  (Hey, what’s going on?)

– Hey, alles im grünen Bereich?

– Tachchen! (mainly in Berlin)

– Was geht ab?  (What’s up?)

– Na, alles fit?  (You alright?)

– Was macht die Kunst?

Who do you say good morning to?

It is considered polite to say “good morning” as you go about your morning routine. You should say it to your friends and family, but you should also say it at work, when you walk into a shop, restaurant, or cafe.

People who are especially upbeat say “good morning” when they board public transportation or walk down the street. Don’t be surprised if you don’t receive a “good morning” from everyone; some people don’t find anything pleasant before 8 a.m.

It is also considered polite to begin your message with “good morning” when texting or emailing someone informally. If you are writing a formal letter, don’t start with “good morning,” no matter what time of day it is; instead, begin with “sehr geehrte…” and continue with the recipient’s name.

What is the right time to use “Guten Morgen”?

Until around 12 p.m., you can use any expression that means “good morning” in German. Using it later than that gives the impression that you just rolled out of bed, which may result in an awkward situation.

If you are not sure or have any kind of confusion, you can always say “Guten Tag” or “Hello.”

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can I say guten tag in the morning?

A.  While “Guten Morgen” is only used in formal settings in the morning, “Guten Tag” can be used at any time of day (post-noon). It is only used in formal situations. It is similar to the English phrase “Good Afternoon,” though it is not always used in the afternoon.

Q. What is the appropriate answer of guten Morgen?

A. Greetings such as Guten Morgen and Guten Abend are used at the start of formal events such as business meetings, interviews, academic conventions, and even classes. Normally, you would either repeat the greeting or simply say “Hallo.”

Q. Is Grüß dich formal?

A. Grüß dich literally means ‘greet you’. It is a fairly universal, informal way of greeting people who are friendly with you but not necessarily your friends or close friends, and who are open to becoming your friends.

Conclusion

Using some form of greeting in the morning allows you to connect with the people around you from the start of the day. Even if you are not a morning person, try one of these German phrases for “good morning.” You might be surprised at how many smiles and good morning wishes you get back.

If you are planning a visit to Germany or any German-speaking region, learning to order food or beer in German can make your trips easier giving you the opportunity to explore their cuisines and drinks.