The expression grüß Gott (German pronunciation: [fix this]; from grüß dich Gott, originally '(may) God bless (you)')[1] is a greeting, less often a farewell, in Southern Germany and Austria (more specifically the Upper German Sprachraum, especially in Bavaria, Franconia, Swabia, Austria, and South Tyrol).
and therefore sometimes receives a sarcastic response from Northern (and thus mainly Protestant) Germans, such as "If I see Him" (Wenn ich Ihn sehe) or "Hopefully not too soon" (Hoffentlich nicht so bald).
This is likewise shortened this to pfiat' di/eich or, if the person is addressed formally[3] pfia Gott in Altbayern, Austria, and South Tyrol (Italy).
In its standard German form, grüß Gott is mostly stressed on the second word and in many places is used not only in everyday life, but is also common in the official communications of the aforementioned states.
Use of the greeting guten Tag ('good day') is less prevalent, but there are those who dislike grüß Gott on account of its religious nature.