Greetings and politeness in Luxembourgish
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Luxembourgish words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Luxembourgish phrases in this lesson
- MoienMOY-en
- Hello
- Gudde MoienGUD-eh MOY-en
- Good morning
- Gudden OwendGUD-en OH-vent
- Good evening
- ÄddiAH-dee
- Goodbye
- Bis hernobis HER-no
- See you
- Wann ech geliftvan esh geh-LIFT
- Please
- Mercimer-SEE
- Thank you
- Gär geschittger ge-SHITT
- You're welcome
- Et deet mer leedet dayt mer LAYT
- Sorry
- Entschëllegtent-SHEL-ekt
- Excuse me
- Frou mech kennenzeléierenfroo mekh KEN-en-tseh-lay-ren
- Nice to meet you
The universal Luxembourgish greeting, used at any time of day. Locals will immediately warm to any visitor who uses it. It works on the street, in a shop, or entering a restaurant.
A slightly more formal morning greeting than plain Moien. You will hear it in offices, bakeries, and from older locals. Use it before noon.
Said arriving anywhere in the evening. Moien works at any hour.
The distinctly Luxembourgish farewell, derived from "adieu." It is warm and informal, used in shops, with neighbors, and among friends. Saying Äddi instead of Au revoir marks you as someone making a genuine effort.
Literally "until later". Äddi works for everyone.
The same phrase covers both "please" and "you're welcome" in Luxembourgish. Add it to any request and you immediately sound respectful. Abbreviated to s'il vous plaît in French-heavy contexts.
The everyday thank-you, used constantly. It comes from French but is fully integrated into Luxembourgish. A simple Merci with a smile handles most situations.
Literally "gladly done". "Wann ech gelift" also works, but it is already please.
Literally "it does me sorrow", the real apology. "Pardon" is the quick one.
Use this to get someone's attention, to apologize for bumping into someone, or to squeeze past in a crowded market. The ë is a schwa-like sound, similar to the e in "the." It sounds more formal than a quick Pardon.
Literally "pleased to meet you." It is a longer phrase but locals will be genuinely impressed if you manage it. A handshake accompanies most introductions in Luxembourg.