Baba, Bussi, Servus, or Pfiat di? How People Really Say Goodbye in Vienna

Anyone who comes to Vienna quickly realizes: A simple "Tschüss" (Bye) works, but it doesn't sound truly Viennese. Here, people say "Baba," "Servus," "Pfiat di," "Wiederschaun," or even "Bussi, Baba." Which farewell fits depends on how well you know each other, where you are, and – as so often in Vienna – on the right tone.

Because a Viennese farewell is rarely just a farewell. A short "Baba" means something different than a drawn-out "Baaaaaba," a "Pfiat di" sounds warmer than a "Wiederschaun," and a "Bussi, Baba" often says more about a relationship than a whole farewell sentence.

What do people say when they say goodbye in Vienna?

The most typical farewells in Vienna are "Baba", "Servus", "Pfiat di" and "Wiederschaun". Among friends, family, and good acquaintances, you also very often hear "Bussi, Baba".

"Baba" is casual and suitable for everyday use, "Servus" works as both a greeting and a farewell, "Pfiat di" sounds more personal and traditional, while "Wiederschaun" is mostly used in more polite everyday situations.

Sounds simple.

Of course, it isn't.

Baba – said briefly, but rarely meaningless

"Baba" is probably the most straightforward Viennese farewell. You hear it among friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and often in small shops or restaurants.

It only gets interesting with the tone of voice. A short "Baba" is neutral. A friendly "Baba, bis bald" (Baba, see you soon) sounds more committal. And a drawn-out "Baaaaaba" is almost a small sign of affection.

The longer the "Baba," the greater the warmth, usually.

It's particularly typical that the farewell has long since begun, but no one actually leaves. "Baba" turns into "Baaaba," then there's one last story, another "Meld dich" (Get in touch), and eventually another "Baba."

Viennese goodbyes are rarely efficient.

Servus – Hello and Goodbye in one

"Servus" is one of the most practical words ever, because it can be used for both greeting and farewell. If you say "Servus", you're almost never completely wrong in casual situations.

Only with "Na servus" does the meaning change significantly. Then it usually doesn't mean hello or goodbye, but rather: This is going to be fun, That can't be true, or simply Oh, come on.

Here too, it shows how much Austrian language thrives on tone and situation. The word itself is often only half the information.

Pfiat di – a farewell with more warmth

"Pfiat di" is a traditional Austrian farewell and roughly means "Take care" or "Look after yourself." The expression goes back to "Behüt dich Gott" (God protect you).

In Vienna, you do hear "Pfiat di," though less universally than "Baba" or "Servus." It sounds more personal and a little warmer.

A "Pfiat di" doesn't just sound like "I'm leaving now," but rather like "Get home safely." That's exactly why the expression has something that a sober "Auf Wiedersehen" (Goodbye) can hardly convey.

Wiederschaun – polite, concise, and typically Austrian

"Wiederschaun" is the colloquial Austrian form of "Auf Wiedersehen" (Goodbye). You hear it especially often in coffee houses, restaurants, shops, or in daily contact with people you don't know well.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Wiederschaun."

"Wiederschaun."

That's it.

No hugs, no big emotions, and above all, no obligation to actually meet again.

Very practical. Very Austrian.

Bussi, Baba – when the farewell becomes more personal

"Bussi, Baba" is a warm farewell, used primarily among friends, family members, or close acquaintances. Literally, it's simple: kiss and bye. Culturally, however, there's more to it.

Because a "Bussi" can only be said – or actually happen. And that's when the little social choreography begins: one cheek or two, left or right, air kiss or real contact?

Especially in international encounters, this can quickly lead to a brief moment of uncertainty. The safest Viennese strategy afterward is: act as if nothing happened at all.

"Meld dich" is almost part of it

Hardly any Austrian farewell is complete without a concluding "Meld dich" (Get in touch).

That can actually mean: Please get in touch.

But it can also simply be a friendly closing formula. A kind of linguistic bow at the end of the meeting, without having to plan a concrete reunion immediately.

"Bussi, Baba, meld dich" is therefore almost a small Viennese farewell formula in itself.

Why Viennese goodbyes often take so long

When a Viennese says "So, I'll be going now...", it doesn't automatically mean they're leaving. It just means that the first phase of saying goodbye has officially begun.

After that, an astonishing number of things can still happen: a last story, another sip, the bill, a discussion about who pays, putting on a jacket, looking for keys, and suddenly starting a completely new topic of conversation.

The truly crucial sentence is therefore usually:

"Right. Now I really am going."

From this moment on, at least the probability that someone will actually leave increases.

Do people actually say "Tschüss" in Vienna?

Yes, of course. Everyone understands "Tschüss" and no one will give you a strange look for it. It just sounds less typically Viennese than "Baba," "Servus," or "Wiederschaun."

Visitors who want to sound a bit more local are usually best advised to use "Baba" or "Servus". "Wiederschaun" fits in more polite situations, "Pfiat di" seems more personal, and "Bussi, Baba" should be reserved for people with whom a certain familiarity already exists.

What Viennese farewells reveal about the city

Perhaps these little words are so interesting because they reveal quite a lot about Vienna. The city can be distant and at the same time warm. Feelings are not always expressed directly, but often conveyed through tone of voice, irony, and small linguistic codes.

A dry "Servus," a warm "Pfiat di," a casual "Bussi," or an endlessly long "Baaaaaba" often say more than meets the eye.

So, if you want to understand Vienna, you shouldn't just pay attention to what is said.

But especially to how.

So then.

It was nice.

Let's do it again.

Get in touch.

Bussi. Baba.