Grüße

Grüße is a German noun that refers to greetings or regards. It is the plural form of the noun Gruß and is related to the act of greeting someone or offering salutations. The corresponding verb is grüßen, meaning to greet or to send regards.

In use, Grüße can appear in two main contexts. In spoken language, it denotes a greeting toward someone, as in a casual greeting or a farewell exchange. In written language, Grüße most commonly appears in closing formulas of letters and emails. Typical closings include formals such as Mit freundlichen Grüßen and more informal variants like Viele Grüße, Herzliche Grüße, or Liebe Grüße. A common practice is to place a short message before the closing, followed by the plural form Grüße.

Formality and regional variation affect how Grüße is used. In formal German texts and letters, the phrase Mit freundlichen Grüßen is standard. In informal communication, speakers often choose Liebe Grüße or Viele Grüße. In German-speaking regions, the spelling Grüße is standard in Germany and Austria; in Switzerland the form Grüsse (with ss) is also common due to Swiss orthography. The noun Grüße is capitalized as a noun, while the verb grüßen is not.

Etymologically, Grüße derives from older Germanic terms for a gesture of greeting or salute. It remains a central concept in both personal exchanges and written correspondence, reflecting social norms around politeness and warmth in German-speaking cultures.