Most of the time, when people plan to attend Oktoberfest, they prepare their traditional Oktoberfest outfits, practice dancing to the Schunkeln song, and plan everything for their Oktoberfest experience.
But if there’s one underrated aspect that most people overlook when preparing for Oktoberfest, it’s learning German expressions that they can use during the event for a more authentic Oktoberfest experience.
Before you’ve arrived in Munich, make sure that you have a collection of some German phrases that you can get out of the bag when you interact and have fun with locals as you enjoy the event.
It’s not just about making it easier for yourself to travel in Germany, but it’s also about making the experience special. For people planning to attend the Oktoberfest activities this year, this article will give you some knowledge of the German language, so you can shock your friends and get to know the locals better.
Prost!
This one’s pretty basic, but it’s also one that you’ll use very often. Basically, ‘prost’ is how you say ‘cheers!’ in Germany. It’s also not that hard to remember since the two words rhyme. If you ever hear ‘ein Prosit’, it means ‘a toast’, and it also means that you and the other attendees will raise your glass for a toast.
Zum Wohl!
If you’re looking for an alternative to say cheers, another way of initiating a toast when drinking with Germans is to say “zum wohl”, which means “to good health.” When you hear these words, you can expect the crowd to sing a classic German drinking song.
Danke
Wherever you are, it’s a gesture of respect to say thank you when someone does you a favor or provides you a service. When visiting Germany, and you want to give gratitude to someone, make sure to remember the word “danke”, which means “thank you”.
Entschuldigung
The Oktoberfest attracts a big crowd, and most of the time, you’re going to be in tight places. Whether it’s getting to your table or getting a new beer, you’re going to need to find your way. However, you can’t just barge in like a boss. You need to be respectful, which is why you need to say “excuse me” by saying “entschuldigung”.
Eins, Zwei, Drei, G’suffa!
If you’re drinking with other people and you’re vibing with them, this is a phrase you need to know. By saying “eins, zwei, drei, g’suffa!”, you’re saying “one, two, three, drink!”, which is a great way to bring your group together and enjoy the experience even more.
Noch ein Bier, bitte!
If you need another beer and you’re unsure how to get one, you can say these words, which means “another beer, please!”. In this way, language won’t be a barrier to your desire to get wasted.
Wie heißt du? Ich heiße…
Wherever you are, whether it’s your home country or enjoying Oktoberfest, it’s always great to make new friends, especially when you’re at the Oktoberfest. If there’s someone that you seem to be vibing with and you want to get acquainted with them, you can say “Wie heißt du? Ich heiße…”, which means “What’s your name? My name is…”.
Ozapft Is!
If you’re looking for a saying that’s authentic to the Oktoberfest, it’s definitely “O’zapft Is!” which means “It’s tapped!”. It signals the start of drinking, and there’s nothing like being there when the phrase is said for the first time as the traditional opening cheer of Oktoberfest!
Ich lade euch ein
Are you feeling generous? Do you want to show your appreciation for everyone around the table? Whatever the reason is that you want to pay for an entire round for everyone, all you have to do is shout “Ich lade euch ein!” and you’ll be making everyone celebrate
Servus!
This one can be quite confusing at first, as it’s the equivalent of “hello” in Bavaria. However, what’s confusing about it is that “servus!” can also mean “goodbye”.
Brezeln
“Brezeln” means “pretzel in Germany. If you’re unaware of it, pretzels are an Oktoberfest classic, as it goes really well with beer. But, make sure to fill up on too many pretzels, as there are many German dishes that you can try to wash down with your beer.
Maß
It means a liter of beer, but “maß” can also be a short version of Maßkrug, which refers to the traditional glass mugs that the beer comes in. If you want a legit Oktoberfest experience, ordering a Maß would be a good start. If you’re feeling daring, you can use it as you join the Maßkrugstemmen beer holding competition.
Guten Appetit!
“Guten appetit!” is the German version of “bon appetit”. If you’re feeling hungry or many people are starting to eat, saying this phrase will make your Oktoberfest experience more authentic.
Wo ist die Toilette?
After constant drinking, you’re going to need to go to the toilet sooner rather than later. When you need to go to the CR, you can say the phrase “Wo ist die Toilette?” to anyone around, and they can guide you to the nearest one.
Sprechen sie Englisch?
If you’ve run out of German phrases, it’s not that much of a problem because most Germans can speak English. To make sure of it, you can ask them if they know English by asking, “Sprechen sie Englisch?”
An authentic Oktoberfest experience with the Thirsty Swagman
If you’re looking for more tips to help you enjoy Oktoberfest the most or you’re trying to know how to go to the Oktoberfest, the Thirsty Swagman is your best friend.
