German in the DACH region: similarities and differences

One language — three worlds: how German differs in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

When we say “the German language,” we usually mean a single standard — Hochdeutsch. In reality, there are several national varieties of German: in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They’re mutually intelligible, but each has its own nuances in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and even usage culture. Let’s dive into this fascinating world of differences.

Words that tell you where you are

Imagine you step into a bakery. In Berlin you’ll be offered a Brötchen, in Vienna — a Semmel, and in Zurich — a Brötli. Same little roll, different names.

More examples:

• Potato
  die Kartoffel
  der Erdapfel
  die Härdöpfel
  
  
• Tomato
  die Tomate
  der Paradeiser
  die Tomate (dialect may say Tomaate)
  
  
• Cream
  die Sahne
  der Schlagobers
  der Rahm
  
  
• Apricot
  die Aprikose
  die Marille
  die Aprikose
  
  
• Jam-filled doughnut (Berliner)
  der Berliner
  der Krapfen
  der Berliner / Krapfen
  
  
• Shopping bag
  die Tüte
  das Sackerl
  das Sackli
  
  
• Bicycle
  das Fahrrad
  das Radl (colloq.)
  das Velo
  
  
• Tram
  die Straßenbahn
  die Bim (colloq.)
  das Tram
  
  
• Trash can
  der Mülleimer
  der Mistkübel
  der Kübel
  
  
• Pedestrian crossing
  der Zebrastreifen
  der Schutzweg
  der Fussgängerstreifen
  
  
• Email
  die E-Mail
  das E-Mail
  das E-Mail
  
  
• ATM
  der Geldautomat
  der Bankomat
  der Bancomat
  
  

📌 In a nutshell:

• The Austrian variety gravitates toward diminutives and “cosy” words (Sackerl, Semmel, Radl).
• The Swiss variety often uses short, simplified forms (Tram, Velo, Natel, Sackli).
• The German standard is closer to the literary norm, though everyday speech has its regionalisms too.

Each word carries a cultural hue: Austrians carefully preserve older forms, the Swiss streamline and do things their own way, and Germans stick to “the standard.”

📢 Vocabulary is obvious, but grammar differences between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are just as interesting.

Here are the most noticeable ones:

1. Präteritum vs. Perfekt

In Germany, Präteritum is used a lot, especially in writing, but also in speech (notably with modal verbs and sein/haben).

In Austria and Switzerland, spoken language prefers Perfekt almost always.

➡ By ear, you can quickly tell a “German” from an “Austrian/Swiss.”

2. Noun gender

Some nouns take different articles:

3. Prepositions and government

In Austria and Switzerland, you’ll hear slightly different patterns:

4. Diminutives

➡ This is morphology/word formation — the suffix immediately signals the region.

5. Plural forms

Some plurals differ:

6. The “tun + infinitive” construction

In Austria and southern Germany, speakers like the auxiliary tun:

In Switzerland, you can hear it too: ich tue das machen.

7. Polite form “Sie”

In parts of Switzerland, addressing strangers with du can be acceptable (especially in local communities), whereas in Germany and Austria distance is usually kept longer. That’s pragmatics rather than grammar.

8. Word order

In Austria, constructions are sometimes simplified:

9. Articles with country names

10. Time adverbials

11. Orthography: the disappearance of ß

The Swiss took a radical step: they simply don’t use the letter ß.

This small detail immediately betrays the origin of a text.

📌 Takeaway:

Germany → grammatically conservative, follows Duden strictly.

Austria → more flexible, allows colloquial inserts (tun + infinitive), sometimes different gender and word order.

Switzerland → heavily influenced by dialect, so even Hochdeutsch there is “flavoured” with regional features.

German in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland forms three distinct “worlds” that understand one another perfectly yet keep their uniqueness. For learners, keep in mind:

• sitting an exam in Germany — aim for standard Hochdeutsch;
• in Austria, forms like das E-Mail or die Semmel are appropriate;
• in Switzerland, don’t be surprised by “Strasse” and the ubiquitous use of Perfekt.

This variety is exactly what makes German beautiful — it’s alive, flexible, and reflects Europe’s rich cultural mosaic.

🎓 What does this mean for exams?

For those preparing for Goethe-Zertifikat, telc or ÖSD, the question “Which variety should I learn?” is very practical.

📌 Here are a few tips:

Goethe-Zertifikat and telc (international format)

• These exams primarily adhere to the German standard (Bundesdeutsch).
• So in writing, prefer die E-Mail, die Kartoffel, das Brötchen, die Tomate.
• In grammar, use the classic word order and Präteritum in written tasks.

ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch)

• Austrian variants are accepted in ÖSD.
• If you write das E-Mail, die Semmel, der Paradeiser, der Erdapfel, it’s not a mistake — it’s even a plus: it shows you know the Austrian norm.
• Still, it’s best to stay close to the standard in grammar (use Perfekt rather than Präteritum in speech; in writing, don’t overdo it).

Switzerland (Goethe/telc administered in Switzerland)

• Formally, the same standards as in Germany apply.
• But in the speaking part, saying das Velo or das Tram instead of Fahrrad and Straßenbahn will be perceived as a natural regional variant.
• And Strasse instead of Straße in writing is perfectly normal and not an error.