Find out the meaning of the greeting “Servus”
If you’ve lived in Vienna long enough, you’ve probably noticed that there’s no shortage of ways to say hello and goodbye. From Grüß Gott and Hallo to Griaß di, Hawidere, Pfia di, Ciao, Tschüss, Babaa, and Servus—the list is long, and each phrase carries its own charm. But among them, Servus stands out. Much like Ciao in Italian, Servus can be used both when arriving and when leaving. Interestingly, while German speakers often use Ciao as a farewell, its original greeting function has been lost in translation. Not so with Servus—this word seamlessly works for both hello and goodbye.
Where Does “Servus” Come From?
Despite being widely considered an Austrian expression, Servus is not exclusive to Austria at all. In fact, it is deeply tied to the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Variations of Servus are still used across many former Habsburg territories, including Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bavaria, Croatia, and Slovenia. With only slight differences in pronunciation and spelling, this greeting serves as a linguistic reminder of the historical ties between these countries.
A Greeting with Noble Origins
The word Servus originates from Latin, where it meant “servant” or “slave.” It comes from the phrase “Servus humillimus, domine spectabilis,” meaning something like “I am your humble servant, my noble lord.” It’s also the root of the word serf—once used to describe peasants bound to landowners in feudal societies.
However, over the centuries, Servus shed its subservient meaning. Instead of an expression of submission, it evolved into a friendly and informal greeting—one that still echoes the empire’s past while remaining a key part of everyday conversations in Austria and beyond.
So next time someone greets you with greeting, you’ll know you’re hearing a little piece of history! One place you will surely be greeted this way is on one of our guided tours in Vienna. Join our public tours to learn more about the Habsburgs!
