We aren’t just an exact replica of the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich. Our authenticity goes beyond the exterior to the language you may hear at the original Oktoberfest, also in Munich. Here are a few words and phrases you may hear while at our Haus during the world’s biggest beer party.
Oktoberfest Attire
Dirndl:(Dern-dull) The traditional German dress you’ll see on our lovely hostesses and waitresses, as well as guests who love to get into the spirit of Oktoberfest. They are known for their asset-enhancing powers.
Lederhosen:(Lay-der-hose-in) This literally translates to “leather pants.” You’ll see a lot of men sport these trendy trousers in all kinds of styles (just check out our band!)
For more history behind the fashion of Oktoberfest, check outthis blog post
Fest Food & Drink
Guten Appetit!:(goo-ten app-a-teet) How we at the Haus say wish you bon appetite.
Noch ein Bier, bitte:(nock ine beer bit-a) You’ll definitely want to commit this to memory; it’s how you ask for “Another beer, please!”
Prost!:(Prōst) If you’ve ever been to our Haus you’ve definitely heard this term more than once. This is how we say, “Cheers!” In the commands form our bands you’ll also hearein Prositwhich means “a toast.”
Brezen:(Bray-tsun) Pretzel. There’s no shortage of these twisted traditions that we import straight from Germany to you.
Cheers, Chants and Dances
Remember how we mentioned the commands of our band? These are other terms you may hear from others who take the stage, including our celebrity keg tappers.
O’zapft is!:(Ō-tsapft is) literally means “It’s tapped!”. This is the opening cheer when the first keg is tapped, kicking off Oktoberfest. See what leads up to this important declaration at Munich’s Oktoberfesthere.
Schunkeln:(Shoon-kulln) It’s the ideal drinking “dance” because you don’t even have to stand up! Just stay seated and when the Schunkeln song comes on, lock arms with your neighbor and sway side to side.
Eins, zwei, drei:(ines tsvy dry) “One, two, three” You’ll hear this a lot, like at the start of our stein-holding contests. Here’s how to get really legit and count with your fingers in German: one is the thumb, two is thumb and forefinger, and three is thumb, forefinger, and middle finger.
Oans, zwoa, g’suffa!:(ōnns tswō g’zoo-fa) “One, two, drink up!” Enough said.
Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi hoi hoi!:(tsick-a tsack-a, tsick-a tsack-a, hoy hoy hoy) Another common band call-out, usually followed by Prost! and a hearty chug of beer.
Now that you’re privy to some of the lingo, come practice at our Haus!If there’s any more you’d like fellow beer lovers to know, please share in the comments below!
FAQs
“Prost!” Though this might look the same as the “cheers” used by Northern Germans when they toast, you'll have to soften your consonants and roll your rrs to make the Bavarian equivalent sound correct.
What do they say at the start of Oktoberfest? ›
O'zapft is!: (Ō-tsapft is) literally means “It's tapped!”. This is the opening cheer when the first keg is tapped, kicking off Oktoberfest.
What is the German drinking slogan? ›
Oans, zwoa, drei, g'suffa!
This one means “One, two, three, drink!” However, while still German, the phrase comes from the Bavarian German dialect, which sounds different from Standard German.
What is the Oktoberfest cheers? ›
To make a simple toast (ein Prosit), lift your mug or stein and call out, ''Prost! '' (''Cheers! ''). Die Maß (or Mass), a Bavarian word for ''measure,'' refers to the single-serving liter of beer in the standard Oktoberfest mug or stein.
How to wish happy Oktoberfest? ›
'Happy Oktoberfest!' can be translated as Frohes Oktoberfest! (pronounced: FRAW-uhs ock-TOH-behr-fest).
What to say in German when drinking? ›
As we've already mentioned if you want to say cheers in German you use the word “prost,” one of many must-know phrases for the beer halls of Oktoberfest.
What is the German drinking chant? ›
Usually every 20 minutes they initiate a quick break – which is obviously created for drinking beer– by playing the well-known song “Ein Prosit”. After this short song is finished, everyone raises their huge glasses with the words: “Oans, zwoa, drei, Gsuffa!” meaning “one, two, three, drink!”.
Why can't you chug a beer at Oktoberfest? ›
Don't chug a stein of beer!
Keep in mind that the beer served in the tents is special Oktoberfestbeer and usually is a bit stronger than usual German beer that already has a higher percentage than most beer around the world.
What is the German cheers chant? ›
Prost! Translation: Cheers! Toss on an “Ein Toast!” at the end to encourage a celebratory “bottoms up!” before drinking your Märzen with friends. Fun fact: if you find yourself in Switzerland with a beer in hand, you can substitute “Broscht!” for “Prost!” This is the Swiss-German way to say “Cheers!”
What do Germans say instead of cheers? ›
An important one to note is “Prost! ', your German version of “Cheers!”, which you can use in all types of situations.
At Oktoberfest, every 15 minutes or so, the band will play the traditional German drinking song, Ein Prosit, and the entire tent will sing along. Its lyrics roughly translate to “A toast, a toast of comfort!”, and if there is one song you need to learn before heading to Munich, it's this one.
What do Germans yell at Oktoberfest? ›
O'zapft is, in particular, is the most iconic of Oktoberfest sayings. This is the cry you will here once the Mayor of Munich has tapped the ceremonial keg, thus kicking off the entire two-week-long event.
What is said at the start of Oktoberfest? ›
O'zapft is!
This phrase is what the mayor of Munich shouts out every year to mark the start of Oktoberfest – and of course that is after he has successfully hammered a tap into the very first keg of beer.
What is a German beer maid called? ›
Kellner /Kellnerin. German for Beer Maids and Beer Waiters. Staff at Oktoberfest Munich have to be incredibly tough!
What does "zicke zacke hoi" mean? ›
Every so often, the band would stop its number and bid us raise our glasses with this refrain: “Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi!” (meaning something like “A toast, a toast, a cozy place! One, two, three, drink!”)
What does the mayor yell to start Oktoberfest? ›
O'zapft is!
This phrase is what the mayor of Munich shouts out every year to mark the start of Oktoberfest – and of course that is after he has successfully hammered a tap into the very first keg of beer.
