“The Luxembourg language is not in danger”, Luc Marteling, former director of the Centre for the Luxembourgish Language confirmed in a 2020 interview.
Well, has Mr Marteling ever heard an expat trying to wish somebody a lovely Christmas with rough Luxembourgish skills? Don’t worry folks, we’ve got you covered for this year...
To minimalise any risk of embarrassment, this lexicon of phrases was even validated by Mr Marteling himself.
| Merry Christmas! | Schéi Chrëschtdeeg! |
Five, four, three, two, one... Happy New Year! | Fënnef, véier, dräi, zwee, eent ... e schéint neit Joer! |
Lots of happiness for the New Year! | Vill Gléck am neie Joer! |
And above all: good health! | A virun allem eng gutt Gesondheet! |
What’s your WiFi password? | Wéi ass Äre Wifi-Code? |
Pass me the cremant / top up my cremant | Gëff mer de Cremant! / Schëtt mer nach Cremant no. |
Oh, real champagne! | O, richtege Schampes! |
| But where are they? (if your invitees are late) | Ma wou bleiwen déi dann? |
May I get up from the table? | Däerf ech vum Dësch opstoen? |
I’ve missed you all so much | Dir hutt mir immens gefeelt / Ech hunn iech ganz vill vermësst |
Oh thank you, that really wasn’t necessary... | Oh merci, dat hätt awer net misse sinn… |
Now we’re playing a game! | Elo spille mer e Spill! |
Fetch the tablet and call your grandmother | Huel den Tablet a ruff d’Boma un |
2026 can’t be worse | 2026 kann egal wéi net méi schlëmm ginn |
Stop force-feeding your dog! | Haalt op, den Hond ze fidderen (e verfrësst sech nach) |
I’m so happy with you | Ech sinn immens frou mat iech |
The doorbell. Can’t be the police? | Et huet geschellt. Et ass jo sécher net d’Police. |
Nocturnal noise? What noise? | Kaméidi an der Nuecht? Wéi e Kaméidi? |
Looking forward to the end of the crisis! | Mir freeën eis op d’Enn vun der Kris |
But no, I wanted a PS5! | Ma nee, ech wollt eng PS5! |
I never go to this butcher | Ech ginn ni bei dee Metzler |
What are you doing in the holidays? | Wat méchs de an der Vakanz? |
Oh, a personal development book! You really shouldn’t have... | O, e Buch iwwer déi perséinlech Entwécklung! Dat hätt wierklech net misse sinn... |
