Translation question for our German speaking members

15 June 2002, 04:31

270Model70

Sorry for the off topic post, but I ran across a hunting related German word that I'm not able to find a reasonable translation for.

Could someone describe what "Waidmannsheil" translates to?

Thanks,
Brian

15 June 2002, 07:53

carcano91

It is the traditional greeting and wishing phrase among hunters: "hunter's hail".

Carcano

15 June 2002, 14:40

270Model70

Carcano,

That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

16 June 2002, 13:28

Ku-dude

I was instructed in Namibia that the proper response to another's "Weidmansheil", was "Weidmansdank" if you were successful, and "Weidmansheil" if you were not successful.

I was spending NewYear's in Vienna, and returning to the hotel with my family one evening, I saw a Austrian hunter, properly outfitted in traditional attire, getting out of his car and entering his apartment building. I greeted him across the street (the alley)with "Weidmansheil", and immediately got a smile and a hearty, "Weidmansdank." It was a wonderful moment for we band of brothers. Ku-dude

17 June 2002, 00:56

carcano91

quote:
Originally posted by Ku-dude:
I was spending NewYear's in Vienna, and returning to the hotel with my family one evening, I saw a Austrian hunter, properly outfitted in traditional attire, getting out of his car and entering his apartment building. I greeted him across the street (the alley)with "Weidmansheil", and immediately got a smile and a hearty, "Weidmansdank." It was a wonderful moment for we band of brothers. Ku-dude

And dead wrong, for that. It is hammered into German novice hunters (during their exam preparation or apprenticeship) that "Weidmannsheil" may only be responded to with "Weidmannsdank" if the former is a well-wishing or congratulation. Examples: "was fï¿½r ein starker Kronenhirsch - Weidmannsheil !" or "So, auf Gams soll es gehen ? Na dann wï¿½nsche ich Weidmannsheil !"

If however used as a greeting - as in your example, and as is indeed the most common case -, it must always be responded to with the commensurate "Weidmannsheil" and never with "Weidmannsdank".

Best regards,
Carcano

17 June 2002, 02:33

<Artemis>

quote:
Originally posted by Ku-dude:
I was instructed in Namibia that the proper response to another's "Weidmansheil", was "Weidmansdank" if you were successful, and "Weidmansheil" if you were not successful.

I was spending NewYear's in Vienna, and returning to the hotel with my family one evening, I saw a Austrian hunter, properly outfitted in traditional attire, getting out of his car and entering his apartment building. I greeted him across the street (the alley)with "Weidmansheil", and immediately got a smile and a hearty, "Weidmansdank." It was a wonderful moment for we band of brothers. Ku-dude

Ku-Dude ,
"Weidmannsheil" can have various meanings and it is not always answered with "Weidmannsdank" .
"Weidmannsheil" can mean : hi , hello , nice to see you , when hunters meet , the second hunter would answer "Weidmannsheil" himself .
It also means : "Good luck" , when a hunter goes out hunting and , when he leaves , a friend says "Weidmannsheil" .
Last , but not least it means "Congratulations" for a kill and ONLY THEN the other hunter answers "Weidmannsdank" , as it means " Thank you " !

17 June 2002, 19:59

aHunter

If a hunter is greeted by a non hunter with "Waidmannsheil" e.g. starting a trip, he may answer with "Waidmannsdank".

The usual greeting procedure between hunters is "Waidmannsheil" from both parties.

Hermann