Wien

If you’re troubled by various roadside signs pointing to Wien where you’re expecting Vienna, relax. Wien is the local (German) word for Vienna. It’s pronounced “Veen” (with a V).

A frankfurter package
Not a Wiener
© Mark Brownlow
So Wien is the city of Vienna, and a Wiener is a man or boy who comes from Vienna (and, crucially, not a sausage - that’s called a Frankfurter here). A woman or girl from Vienna is a Wienerin.

There is also Wienerisch, which is the German dialect spoken here, and which also has its own, often “colorful”, vocabulary. It’s hard to describe, but takes a lot of getting used to. Think Glaswegian English.

Vienna in other languages:

Spanish - Viena
French - Vienne
Czech - Vídeň
Estonian - Viin
Hungarian - Bécs (go figure)
Dutch - Wenen
Latin - Vindobona
Polish - Wiedeń

This entry is filed under Phrases & language.