By Luxembourgish with Anne
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The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.
In episode 19 you learned how to start a conversation in Luxembourgish.
In this episode, you will learn a) the secret to becoming more fluent and improving your Luxembourgish; b) how to keep a conversation going, without running out of things to say!
Let’s start with the secret to becoming more fluent and improving your Luxembourgish: this is so simple: you might be surprised: ASK MORE QUESTIONS
And we will at the end of the episode practice with two example conversations – an informal one using the du-form and a formal one using the Dir-form.
Are you ready to learn this secret and master an everyday conversation?
Bass du prett? Da lass!
Most of the topics of small talk conversations include an observation followed by a question. This is the best way to get people talking about themselves.
Talking about your next holidays
The holidays are always an interesting topic. Usually people like talking about their next holidays. Here are some useful phrases to start a conversation about that topic. An easy and straightforward question:
But if you want something more original, try this:
Here’s an example of how NOT to have an Luxembourgish conversation:
Unfortunately, the conversation stops here because there’s no natural way to continue it. This is OK if you only want to have a quick conversation (for example, if you are quickly passing a co-worker in the hallway). But how can you have a longer conversation in Luxembourgish?
2 KEYS to continuing a conversation in Luxembourgish
1 Ask questions that start with the question words Wat, Wéini, Wou, Firwat and Wéi. Try to avoid yes/no questions.
2 In your answers, give one or two details that will help continue the conversation. You don’t need to talk for a long time.
Example of Luxembourgish Conversations
Here are two example conversations – an informal one using the du-form and a formal one using the Dir-form.
Notice how each person adds one or two details, and then there is a follow-up question about the details.
Moien! An, wéi war däi Weekend?
Zimmlech flott! E Samschdeg ware mir bei Frënn agelueden an e Sonndeg war ech mat menge Kanner an de Kino.
Flott. Wat sidd dir da kucke gaang?
Den EMOJI!
An? Wéi war en?
De Kanner huet de Film natierlech gutt gefall. An du? Wat hues du de Weekend gemaach?
Net esou vill. E Samschdeg sinn ech doheem bliwwen a sonndes moies ginn ech jo ëmmer lafen.
Ah sou? Wéi laang leefs du dann?
Normalerweis tëscht 45 Minutten an eng Stonn.
Leefs du eleng?
Jo, leider. Hues de Loscht eng Kéier matzekommen?”
Oh nee, dat ass net menges. Ech gi just gär schwammen.
A wouhi gees du da schwammen?
…
Hello! And, how was your weekend?
Quite nice! On Saturday we were invited at some friends and on Sunday I went with my kids to the cinema.
Nice. Which movie have you been watching?
EMOJI
And? How was it?
Of course, the children liked the movie. And how about you? What have you done last Weekend?
Not sou much. I stayed at home on Saturday and on Sunday mornings I always go running.
Oh, really? How long do you run?
Usually between 45 minutes and one hour.
Do you run alone?
Yes unfortunately. Would like to come with me once?
Oh no, that is not my cup of tea. I just like to go swimming.
And where do you go swimming?
Website: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
https://courses.luxembourgishwithanne.lu/p/oralexam
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In the last episode, we covered the 3 key rules for word order in Luxembourgish independent clauses. Now, we dive into dependent or subordinate clauses. But what does that mean? 🤔
Subordinate clauses are those parts of a sentence that can’t stand alone and need another part to complete their meaning. These clauses bring a new set of word order rules in Luxembourgish, and here’s an important tip: 🔑 The conjugated verb is always placed at the end of a subordinate clause.
Curious to learn more? Tune in to master these more advanced sentence structures!
Bass du prett?A Subordinate Clause is introduced bya subordinating conjunction: datt, ob, well, wann, etc
or in the case of relative clauses by a relative pronoun deen, déi, dat.
Here are some examples of subordinate clauses in Luxembourgish and English. Notice that each Luxembourgish subordinate clause (in bold type) is set off by a comma.
Examples:
a) Ech weess net, ob hien haut kënnt. I don’t know if / whether he comes today.
b) Ech ginn haut net an d’Schwämm, well ech krank sinn. I don’t go to the swimming pool today because I am sick.
c) Dat ass de Mann, dee mir gëschter gesinn hunn. That’s the man (that/whom) we saw yesterday.
d) Wann d’Wieder schéin ass, ginn ech lafen. – If the weather is good, I’ll go running.
As you can see above, a Luxembourgish subordinate clause always starts with a subordinating conjunction and ends with the conjugated verb.
The ONE thing you must remember is that when a sentence starts with a subordinate clause, as in example d), the very first word after the comma (before the main clause) MUST be the verb: Wann d’Wieder schéin ass, ginn ech lafen.
Subordinating & other ConjunctionsOne important aspect of learning to deal with subordinate clauses is to be familiar with the subordinating conjunctions that introduce them.
All of the subordinating conjunctions require the conjugated verb to go at the end of the clause they introduce.
Learning Tip:
Another technique for learning conjunctions is to learn the ones that are NOT subordinating, called coordinating conjunctions, since there are fewer of those. The coordinating conjunctions with normal word order are:
awer / mee (but), oder (or), entweder/oder (either/or) an (and).
Examples:
Meng Eltere waren och am Kino, awer ech hu si net gesinn. – My parents were also at the movies, but I didn’t see them.
Du kanns mir d’Suen direkt ginn, oder du bezils dono. – You can give me the money straight away or you can pay later.
Entweder du waarts hei op eis, oder du gees mat. – Either you wait for us here, or you come with us.
Remark: After an, the subject (if it remains the same) can often be omitted because it is understood, so the verb often follows it immediately:
Ech iesse moies eng Schmier an drénken dobäi Téi. – I eat a slice of bread in the morning and to that I drink tea.
The word wéi is also used in comparisons (méi grouss wéi, bigger than), in which case it is not a subordinating conjunction. As always, you have to look at the context in which a word appears in a sentence.
Learn the most important Coordinating & Subordinate Conjunctions and practice with many exercises with my
10-Day-Course: Basics of Luxembourgish Sentence Structure
ÜbungWebsite: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
https://courses.luxembourgishwithanne.lu/p/oralexam
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There are cases in which Luxembourgish and English word order are identical,however the word order in Luxembourgish is more variable and flexible than in English. In particular, sentences need not begin with the subject. BUT there are strict rules determining the position of the VERB and there are a few other rules to bear in mind.
1. The Verb is Always the Second ElementNo matter which element begins a Luxembourgish declarative sentence (a statement), the verb is always the second element. If you remember nothing else about Luxembourgish word order, remember this. The subject for instance ech, den Hond, Meng Kanner, d’Haus will either come first or immediately after the verb if the subject is not the first element. This is a simple and fast rule. In a statement (not a question) the verb always comes second.
This rule applies to sentences and phrases that are independent clauses.
A “normal” word order places the subject first, the verb second, and any other elements third.
Examples:
Ech léieren haut Lëtzebuergesch. – I learn Luxembourgish today.
Haut léieren ech Lëtzebuergesch. – Today I learn Luxembourgish. (Lit: Today learn I Luxembourgish)
Remark:
“in second position” or “second place,” means the second element, NOT necessarily the second word.
Only one element can precede the verb, but it may consist of more than one word, for example Haut den Owend.
In such cases, the verb remains second and the subject must immediately follow the verb:
⇒Haut den Owend léieren ech Lëtzebuergesch. –This evening I learn Luxembourgish.
⇒Um wéi vill Auer bass du muer doheem. –At what time are you at home tomorrow
2. Time, Manner and Place: Wéini, Wéi, WouAnother area where Luxembourgish syntax may vary from that of English is the position of expressions of time wéini?, manner wéi? and place wou?
In English we would say, Tom is coming home by train today. English word order in such cases is place, manner, time… the exact opposite of Luxembourgish. We say: time, manner, place.
Examples:
Den Tom kënnt haut mam Zuch heem. ⇒ haut (time), mam Zuch (manner), heem (place).
Ech ginn all Dag mam Auto op d’Aarbecht. ⇒ all Dag (time), mam Auto (manner), d’Aarbecht (place). – I go to work by car everyday.
3. Sentence BracketWhen you have a separable verb (with a prefix), a modal verb or when a verb is used in combination with a second verb then the conjugated verb still stays in POSITION 2. This creates a sentence bracket that contains all of the other information.
Examples:
Meng Mamm fiert normalerweis um 6 Auer heem. – My mom usually goes home at 6pm.
Here we have a separable verb heemfueren. ⇒ fueren is the stem and heem is the a prefix.
For such verbs, the prefix is separated from the stem and placed at the end of the sentence in the present tense (as long as the clause is not subordinate or relative).
Meng Mamm wëll haut um 6 Auer heemfueren. – My mom wants to go home at 6pm today.
Here we have the modal verb wëllen (the conjugated verb) and the 2. verb comes at the very end of the sentence. In this case a separable verb is no longer separated.
Meng Mamm ass haut um 6 Auer heemgefuer. My mom came home at 6pm today.
I know that the sentence order is quite challenging. That’s why And as there is much to say about the word order in Luxembourgish sentences I decided to create an online course – 10 day course: Understand the Basics of Luxembourgish Sentence Structure - this is included for FREE in the online course A1F
Summary :1 Simple, declarative sentences are identical in Luxembourgish and English: Subject, verb, other. Ech léiere Lëtzebuergesch
2 The verb is always the second element in a Luxembourgish sentence. Am Summer ginn ech gär an d’Schwämm..
3 Luxembourgish sentences are usually “Time, Manner, Place.” Ech fueren um 8 Auer moies mam Auto op d’Aarbecht
4 With separable, modal verbs and tenses, the second verb goes last, but the conjugated verb is still second.
Ech fueren ëmmer um 6 Auer owes heem
Website: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
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Not sure if you’re truly at the A2 level?
Don’t worry—this episode is for you! I’ve prepared a quick and fun multiple-choice quiz where you can test your Luxembourgish knowledge at the end of level A2.
Here’s how it works: I’ll ask you a question, give you 10 seconds to think about it, and then I’ll reveal the correct answer.
You’ll get to assess your progress in real-time and discover where you might need to focus more study. Whether you’re preparing for the *Sproochentest* or just curious about your Luxembourgish level, this quiz will give you a clear idea of where you stand.
So, *bass du prett? Da lass!* 🎙️
📚 Want to improve even faster? Join our upcoming courses and take your Luxembourgish skills to the next level! 🚀
Website: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
https://courses.luxembourgishwithanne.lu/p/oralexam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luxembourgishwithanne.lu/
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Let’s talk about Autumn in Luxembourgish
It's autumn *den Hierscht* and what better time to practice talking about the weather and seasonal activities in Luxembourgish?
Whether you're enjoying a walk through the colorful forests or cozying up indoors, this episode will help you expand your vocabulary for autumn-related small talk.
Did you know that the seasons are often a topic in the *Sproochentest* Oral Exam? I'll guide you through common phrases and vocabulary that will make you feel confident during your exam or in casual conversations.
Here’s a quick teaser: Do you know how to say autumn in Luxembourgish? If not, *du bass prett fir ze léieren*!
By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with all the words and phrases you need for the season. 🍂
🔑 Ready to ace the *Sproochentest* or just improve your Luxembourgish skills?
Sign up for our courses—spots fill up quickly! 🎓
Website: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
https://courses.luxembourgishwithanne.lu/p/oralexam
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Do you know the difference between *kennen* and *wëssen*? 🤔
In Luxembourgish, there are two ways to say "to know," but when do you use *kennen* and when do you use *wëssen*? This is a challenge for many learners, especially if your native language only has one verb for this concept. In this episode, I’ll guide you through a simple, straightforward rule of thumb:
- Use *wëssen* for information you know (usually involving a verb)
- Use *kennen* for people, places, and things you are familiar with
Let’s clear up this confusion and get you feeling more confident in your Luxembourgish conversations! Tune in to this episode for practical tips and examples to help you master *kennen* and *wëssen* like a native. 💡
👉 Ready to take your Luxembourgish to the next level? Join one of our courses and build your confidence in speaking!
Website: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
https://courses.luxembourgishwithanne.lu/p/oralexam
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In this episode you’ll learn 25 questions and answers to those questions that every Luxembourgish learner should know. Once you understand these questions and know how to answer them you’ll be able to handle many situations in daily conversations in Luxembourgish whether you are with friends, with colleagues or on the phone with someone. And, should your goal be to sit the Lux language exam to acquire Lux citizenship then those questions and answers will also help you to gain confidence in understanding and answering the questions the examiner will ask you in the Sproochentest Oral Exam.
Website: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
https://courses.luxembourgishwithanne.lu/p/oralexam
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Do you find it challenging to understand native Luxembourgish speakers? 🤔 You're not alone! Many Luxembourgish learners struggle with listening to natural, spoken Luxembourgish. While slow audios are helpful at the beginning, they may not be enough as you progress.
Listening is often one of the biggest hurdles for Luxembourgish learners. You might read well, have good grammar and vocabulary, and speak confidently, but when it comes to understanding spoken Luxembourgish, it can feel overwhelming and frustrating. Does this sound familiar?
In this podcast, I dive into why listening to Luxembourgish can be so difficult and how to overcome these challenges. Let’s tackle this together! 🎧💪
Website: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
https://courses.luxembourgishwithanne.lu/p/oralexam
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Mastering time expressions in Luxembourgish can be challenging, especially when it comes to choosing the right preposition (no, virun, um, zënter …). ⏰
In this episode, I’ll guide you through sample sentences to help you use these prepositions correctly, making your conversations more fluent.
For instance, do you know how to say, "I’m coming home around 6 o’clock today" in Luxembourgish? Here, "around" is the key preposition tied to time.
Are you ready to elevate your Luxembourgish with these essential prepositions and the many phrases I’ll be sharing? Let’s get started! 🚀💬
Website: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
https://courses.luxembourgishwithanne.lu/p/oralexam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luxembourgishwithanne.lu/
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In this episode, you’ll expand your Luxembourgish vocabulary with essential words and phrases for navigating the post office. 📬
We'll start with key terms and then move on to practical sentences you can use during your next visit. And here’s a quick quiz for you—do you know how to say "post office" in Luxembourgish? 🤔
If not, don't worry! Tune in to the episode to find out and boost your language skills.
Bass du prett? Da lass! Ready to learn? Let's go! 💬📚
Website: https://luxembourgishwithanne.lu
Sproochentest Oral Exam Prep Class:
https://courses.luxembourgishwithanne.lu/p/oralexam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luxembourgishwithanne.lu/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxembourgishwithanne/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/80364342/admin/feed/posts
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7_kWqrLaZea-IJH46KJEA
The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.
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