Welcome to our post about 20 practical, pretty and useful Luxembourgish Words to learn. The country of Luxembourg is a beautiful place for travels, visiting longer term or just for a day trip from a neighbouring country. But did you know they have their own language? Luxembourgish is an official language of the residents in Luxembourg, with it being taught at school and for residency citizenship. Below we’ve highlighted some practical, pretty and useful Luxembourgish words and sayings to learn for your stay.
What Is Luxembourgish? or rather Lëtzebuergesch!
The history of the Luxembourg language dates back to being the national language from 1984. Luxembourgish has a Moselle-Franconian dialect which was mostly spoken until the 19th century. The combination of Luxembourgish is made up with French, Dutch and German (with some English thrown in too!), which makes sense due to the geography of the country.
These days it’s becoming more popular again, due to social media and the younger generation picking up the language better in schools.
Interestingly you can also find the language of Luxembourgish in Mid-West America and Transylvania in Romania.
A recent study also showed that 70.5% of the population use Luxembourgish in their daily lives, be this at work, at school or at home. So what are you waiting for, if you are visiting as a tourist or plan to stay longer, see below a list of practical and pretty Luxembourgish words we suggest you learn.
Most Practical And Pretty Luxembourgish
Here are some of the practical and pretty Luxembourgish words that can be learnt and used during a vacation or for those wanting to live longer in the beautiful country of Luxembourg:
Moien
Translates to: Hello
This of course is nice to learn since you will use it everywhere, such as in the supermarkets, at restaurants and within the local shops.
Äddi / Äddi soen
Translates to: Bye / Good bye
This goes well with the hello of course. Be nice and say goodbye to those who helped you when leaving a place like a local shop or restaurant.
Wann ech gelift
Translates to: Please
Saying please can do a long way in being kind, welcoming and polite in any language. If you need anything or asking something, don’t forget to through in an easy please into it for politeness. Kindness goes a long way!
Wéi geet et? / Geet et?
Translates to: How are you?
If you want to try and make some small talk, ask how the person is doing. They may answer with the following Luxembourgish word below.
Tipptopp
Translates: Excellent
This is used often when something is literally tip-top – such as feeling excellent or happy about something specific. You can also use it as a response if someone asks if you are good with the situation or activity.
Merci
Translates to: Thank you
Yep, since Luxembourgish locals use also French, thank you is the same as in the French language. It’s kind to use this everywhere so a little French is also warm welcomed in the country of Luxembourg.
Gär geschitt!
Translates to: Your welcome
A well used saying in English, using this shows you appreciate the thank you or that you were happy to assist in the question or situation you were in.
Jo / Nee
Translates to: Yes / No
Pretty straight forward for these two, easy to learn and remember for those easy questions that only require an easy yes or no as a response.
eng Grëtz
Translates to: A bit
To be used when you want to talk about something or need a little bit of something. Such as turning up the music a bit or if someone asks if you are hungry and you share that you are a bit.
Pardon
Translates to: Excuse Me
Good to use if you did not hear what the person was saying to you, or to say this when you would like to get around someone such as in the supermarket and you need to pass by with your trolly.
Schéinen Dag nach!
Translates to: Have a nice day!
Always a nice saying to share when you are leaving a shop, restaurant or any local activity. Wishing someone a nice day is nice in any language, so pick it up for Luxembourg too!
Een huelen / Eppes drénken goen
Translates to: To go have a drink
This is a practical saying for when you want to go have a drink with someone.
Kann ech de Menu kréien?
Translates to: May I see the menu?
For those moments you sit down at a restaurant but don’t yet have a menu from the waiter or waitress.
Prost
Translates to: Cheers!
Want to celebrate and hold up your wine/champagne/beer glasses? Don’t forget to say Prost in celebration with everyone at the same time!
Kommissiounen Maachen
Translates to: Running some errands
Perfect for when you need to pop up to the post office, supermarket or any other errands on your to do list.
Dajee
Translates to: Come on / hurry up
To be used when you want to persuade someone to come along to something or if you need them to hurry up if they are late.
And some typical but interesting Luxembourgish insults:
So if you are trying to integrate into living in Luxembourg and want to learn some interesting Luxembourgish words and sayings as insults, here are a few used:
Du bass sou gescheit wéi e Koup Kräsi!
Translates to: You are as clever as a pile of rocks
Basically used when someone is telling another that they are pretty stupid like the rocks on the ground.
Rutsch mer de Bockel erof!
Translates to: Slide down my hump
This one is to be used when you are angry and you want the person you are angry with to basically go away and get lost.
Du falschen Hond!
Translates to: You insincere dog
Usually used if the person who said it feels betrayed about the topic you are discussing.
Du Tutebatti!
Translates as: A talker/bragger
This is used towards someone who talks so much or brags about things or themselves a lot.
Want to see more posts about Luxembourg? Check here:
Ultimate List Of Things To Do In Luxembourg
The Mullerthal Trail: Hiking, Waterfalls & Forest Fun!
Luxembourg Gift Guide: Local Luxembourg Presents and Ideas
Snow In Luxembourg Capital City: Winter White Wonderland
Luxembourg vs Netherlands: Expat Differences
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Thank you for reading out Luxembourgish Words post! Let us know in the comments if you suggest more!
6 Comments
ANUKRATI DOSI
3rd July 2021 at 12:52 pmThanks for sharing this basic vocabulary. I love to learn a few basic day-to-day words before visiting a destination.
Elena Pappalardo
3rd July 2021 at 5:30 pmWhat an informative post! I’ve always wanted to go to Luxembourg, so this reference guide will come in handy when I make it there! It was fascinating to see all the Dutch influences as well.
Emma
3rd July 2021 at 6:24 pmI love learning languages when I visit somewhere but I was in Luxembourg and didn’t even manage to learn most of these. I was a bit confused in Luxembourg given the number of languages they speak, it was hard to pick one so I went with French which is the one I knew. Great vocab though for my next trip
CATHERINE
4th July 2021 at 4:14 amBahaha I love that you have prepared me with some Luxembourgish insults. Funny story, I grew up in a town called Belgium, Wisconsin. Every year we would host Luxembourg Fest and I never understood why. As an adult, I found out that a town a few hours north called Luxembourg would celebrate Belgian Fest. I’m told the state government screwed up the paperwork and the towns’ legal names were swapped. 🙂 Lucky for me, I got a good dose of Luxembourg traditions growing up. The Luxembourg Cultural Society sits in Belgium, WI to this day.
Togetherintransit
4th July 2021 at 9:38 amThanks for commenting Catherine! What an interesting story haha – I’m sure it was nice to experience despite the governmental mess up. I’ll pop by Wisconsin the next time I’m in the area 🙂
Marguerite
4th July 2021 at 1:48 pmA lot of these words are a mix of French and German, so I understand them already, haha. Thanks for sharing – it’s always good to know a few words of the local language when we’re visiting another country.