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GERMAN WORD OF THE DAY

German word of the day: Öffis

You’ll see this shorthand word used often in newspapers or in everyday conversation about local travel.

Published: 5 December 2023 16:45 CET

German word of the day: Öffis

Photo credit: Francesco Ungaro / Unsplash + Nicolas Raymond / flickr

What does it mean?

Öffis is a slang term for public transport and is often used in colloquial conversations or by tabloid newspapers.

How do you use it or where might you see it?

The full word for “public transport” in German – öffentlicher Verkehr – doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.

So Germans often just shorten this to öffis in everyday conversation. Öffis is also a blanket term to refer to all modes of possible public transport – whether its bus, train, tram, or even ferry.

a tram in the city center of Vienna, public transport Austria

One of the famous Viennese trams. (Photo by Árpád Czapp on Unsplash)

How to use it?

Das KlimaTicket gilt für alle Öffis.

The Climate Ticket is good for all public transport.

Ich nehme Öffi und nicht mit dem Auto.

I take public transport instead of the car.

EXPLAINED: How does Austria’s KlimaTicket work?

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Do Austrians still use the formal 'Sie' in German?

In Austria, people have been using “Sie” as a formal way of addressing each other for decades, if not centuries.

Using “Sie” is deeply integrated with Austrian culture and has been passed down through generations as a sign of respect and politeness.

But even if “Sie” is still commonly used in Austria today, younger generations tend to use it less frequently than older ones, and the more informal “Du” is increasing in popularity, Vienna’s IKI language academy told The Local.

The ‘du’ form has gained popularity

In general, using “du” is accepted in less formal settings or when you know someone well.

Over time, the use of “Sie” has decreased in informal and semi-official contexts in Austria, according to the IKI language academy.

The informal “du” form has gained popularity, especially among younger people and in digital communication. In social media, informal meetings, and among friends, the “du” form is more commonly used.

Heike Ziehr, Head of the German Language Department at Sprachenzentrum in Vienna, also agreed that “du” is gaining popularity but added that he does not think it’s appropriate in certain situations.

“‘Du’ is spreading, in social media, leisure time, or at workshops. In the mountains, people always use “du” above 2,000 meters. Occasionally, students address me informally at the university, then I point out to them that it is not appropriate. Sometimes there is a high level of familiarity between teachers and students, and then “du” is often used. I do not recommend it in a professional context”, he said.

READ NEXT: How to explore the Austrian mountains in the summer like a local

Formal and official situations

How “Sie” is used among the different generations depends on the situation and who is involved in it.

“Sie” is mainly used in formal and official situations in Austria. You use “Sie” in conversations with strangers, in professional contexts, during official appointments, in stores, and generally in scenarios where respect and distance are expected to be maintained.

It is also common to address older people or those in higher positions with “Sie”, as a sign of respect and acknowledgement.

Some examples of situations where you are expected to use “Sie” include when you have a doctors appointment, in formal business settings such as meetings with customers, or in daily life situations where you engage with strangers, such as in restaurants or other service establishments, especially when speaking to staff members.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Austria wants to define its fundamental culture but what is it?

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