Conversation guide for expats

Integrating easily in Luxembourg with Luxembourgish

Moving to a new country is an exciting but often intimidating adventure. It can even be a real challenge, especially when it comes to understanding and speaking a new language.

In Luxembourg, where diversity is a source of wealth, knowing a few words of Luxembourgish can transform your experience, making it more enriching and exciting. By learning the basics of the local language, you will lay the foundations for successful integration.

By mastering a few phrases in Luxembourgish, you will quickly be able to connect with your neighbors, interact with local authorities and businesses, and feel more comfortable in your daily life. Showing that you are making an effort to learn the local language is always greatly appreciated by Luxembourgers.

Here is a practical guide to introduce you to Luxembourgish and help you understand why this effort is so important.

Why learn a few words of Luxembourgish?

Knowing the local language builds bridges between expats and the local population. Every year, around 25,000 new residents settle in Luxembourg, representing nearly 4% of the population. By mastering simple expressions in Luxembourgish, you can break the ice more easily and strike up conversations with native Luxembourgish speakers.

Speaking Luxembourgish, at least the basic expressions, will make your daily life easier. It will also show your interest in the local culture. This will be greatly appreciated by locals, who can sometimes feel overwhelmed by new foreign arrivals. Knowing a few everyday words will simplify your interactions with government agencies, businesses, and your neighbors. You will also feel more comfortable in your daily life.

7 basic expressions to know in Luxembourgish

When you arrive in Luxembourg, here are a few useful words and phrases tohelp you introduce yourself and strike up a conversation in Luxembourgish, making it easier for you to settle in.

Moien/Äddi – Essential greetings

To make it easier to strike up a conversation, remember these two very simple Luxembourgish words: "Moïen" means "hello" and"Äddi" translates as "goodbye."

Depending on the time of day, you can also greet the person you are talking to with:

• Gudde Mëtteg: Good afternoon
• Gudden Owend: Good evening

Wéi geet et Iech/dir? - How are you?

The basic greeting in Luxembourgish is " Wéi geet et Iech?" It is ideal for starting a conversation. The response to this phrase is: " Et geet mir gutt. A bäi dir?" Which means: "I'm fine, and you?"

Villmools Merci - Say thank you in the local language

Use the expression " Merci " or " Villmols Merci " when you want to thank someone in Luxembourg. You will often hear " Keng Ursaach " or " Gär geschitt" in reply, which mean"You're welcome " and " Don't mention it " respectively.

Wann ech gelift - Please

"Wann ech gelift" is widely used in Luxembourg. It is the equivalent of"please."

But this expression goes beyond a simple polite way of asking for something. It is used in stores when handing something to someone. This is the case, for example, when you pay for an item.

Ech heeschen (...)/ Ech si(nn) - How to introduce yourself in Luxembourgish

When introducing yourself to someone, follow "Moïen" with " Ech heeschen " followed by your first and last name. When trying to start a conversation with someone, it is very important to introduce yourself. This is a key step in connecting with your Luxembourgish counterpart in government or everyday life.

When you call a local government office or a company, you can also introduce yourself by saying"Ech sinn d'Madamm ..."(I am Mrs....) or"Ech si den Här ..."(I am Mr...) followed by your name.

If someone introduces themselves to you, you can respond with "Et freet mech," which means "Nice to meet you."

Et deet mir Leed - Apologizing in Luxembourgish

Want to apologize in Luxembourgish when you bump into someone on the street, or for any other reason? Use the Luxembourgish expression "Et deet mir Leed." It's the equivalent of "I'm sorry!"

You can also use "Entschëllegt," which means "Excuse me."

Ech sichen (...) - I'm looking for

Are you lost in Luxembourg or looking for something in particular? To tell your Luxembourgish conversation partner that you are looking for something, use the expression "Ech sichen " followed by the place, thing, or person you are looking for. This phrase is synonymous with "I'm looking for (...)".

Conversation guide to take your Luxembourgish further

Enrich your conversations with Luxembourgers

These few phrases will help you take your conversations further, especially if you are looking for a job.

• Ech léiere Lëtzebuergesch: "I'm learning Luxembourgish."
• Kënnt Dir e bësse méi lues schwätzen, wann ech gelift?: "Can you speak more slowly, please?"
• Kënnt Dir dat widderhuelen, wann ech gelift?: "Could you repeat that, please?"
• Wéi seet een dat op Lëtzebuergesch?: "How do you say that in Luxembourgish?"
• I speak a little Luxembourgish: " I speak a little Luxembourgish."
• How do you say that in Luxembourgish?

Other useful expressions in Luxembourgish

• Ech si net averstanen: "I don't agree."
• Een Ament, wann ech gelift: "One moment, please."
• Et ass net schlëmm: "It's not a big deal."
• Wat kann ich für Sie tun?: "What can I do for you?"
• Wéi spéit ass et? / Wéivill Auer ass et?: "What time is it?"
• I don't have any change: "I don't have any change."
• Wéi ass d’Wieder?: "What's the weather like?" If the weather is nice, you can reply: "D’Wieder ass schéin."
• Wat hu Dir als Dish of the day?: "What's the dish of the day?".
• Gi mer e Patt huelen?: "Shall we go for a drink?"

Free tools to help you improve your Luxembourgish

llo.lu, the Luxembourgish learning platform

The Luxembourg government has set up a free platform for learning Luxembourgish called llo.lu. There you will find various exercises and level tests.

LOD, the multilingual Luxembourgish dictionary

The Lëtzebuerger Online Dictionnaire is a multilingual online dictionary created by the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture. It lists words in the Luxembourgish language and provides translations in German, French, English, and Portuguese.

The LOD also covers all the basics of grammar and conjugations. It should be useful for everyone... You can consult it at www.lod.lu.
It is now also available as an app that can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.

Spellchecker.lu for checking spelling

The Spellchecker.lu platform also allows you to check the spelling of a word in Luxembourgish. This platform is also an initiative of the Luxembourg government.

All good reasons to start learning Luxembourgish! Find all the information you need about language courses in Luxembourg here.

In conclusion, you will be able to easily start conversations in Luxembourgish by learning these basics. Saying a few words in Luxembourgish makes it easier to interact with the locals. By creating these links, you will integrate into Luxembourgish culture more quickly. So why not start today?

As for your children's integration, it's important to know that everything is done to facilitate their integration into the Luxembourg school system. From the moment they arrive, they benefit from language support classes. In just a few months, they will quickly become bilingual.

Ready to get started in Luxembourgish?

Learning a few words of Luxembourgish is more than just a linguistic effort: it is a gesture of openness and respect towards your new community.

You don't need to speak perfect Luxembourgish to fit in. Even a modest start can make all the difference.

So why not start today? Moien an Äddi!

Would you like to learn more about the advantages and challenges of living in Luxembourg as an expatriate? Discover the motivations and positive impacts of Luxembourg as seen by expatriates.