In Luxembourgish the word wéi has several meanings and different usages. The first phrases you learn in your learning journey are: Wéi geet et? or Wéi heeschs du?

In these examples Wéi is a question word and translates into How. But this is only one meaning of this word.

Let’s get started with:

Wéi  –  a question word

1. Wéi laang ….? 

• Wéi laang gees du gewéinlech lafen? – How long do you usually go running?

2. Wéi oft …?

• Wéi oft gees du lafen? – How long do you go running?

3. Wéi eng / Wéi een ……? 

• Wéi eng Auer fënns du méi schéin? – Which watch do you think is more beautiful ? 
• Wéi een Dessert wëlls du gär? – Which dessert would you like?

4. Wéi vill ….? 

• Wéi vill Auer ass et? – What time is it?
• Wéi vill kascht dat? – How much does this cost? 

Wéi – used to compare things / persons

I often hear my students use the word dann when comparing things / persons. But that’s not the correct word. In Luxembourgish we use the term wéi:

• méi kleng wéi – smaller than
• méi séier wéi  – faster than
• esou flott wéi – as beautiful as

Learn all about the comparative form in this lesson.

Beispiller (examples)

• Mäin neie Brëll ass grad esou schéin wéi deen alen. – My new glasses are as beautiful as the old ones
• Dëse Coiffer ass besser wéi deen a mengem Quartier. – This hairdresser is better than the one in my area
• Den Zuch fir op Bréissel ass manner bequeem wéi dee fir op Paräis – The train to Brussel is less comfortable than the one to Paris. 

Wéi –  instead of “wann” when expressing something in the past 

• Wéi ech jonk war, sinn ech oft bei meng Boma an d’Vakanz gaang. – When I was young, I often went on vacation to my grand-mother.
• Wéi ech d’lescht Woch krank war, sinn ech doheem bliwwen. – When I was sick last week,  I stayed at home.

Wéi –  to express that you have a pain 

1. wéi  – painful / sore

• Ass dat Äre wéien Zant?- Is that your painful tooth? 

2. wéi hunn – to have a pain 

• Ech hunn oft de Kapp wéi. – I often have a headache.

3. wéidoen – to hurt

• Wou deet et dir wéi? – Where does it hurt you?
• Mamma, de Pol huet mir wéigedoen . – Mum, Pol hurt me!

Wéi – other meanings

• Wéi kanns du nëmmen dat iessen. – How on earth can you eat this?
• Wéi kanns du dat soen? – How on earth can you say that?
• Du gleefs net, wéi gär ech Kéistaart iessen. – You can’t believe, how much (to what degree) I like to eat cheesecake.

Let’s practice:

Translate the following sentences into Luxembourgish:

1. 1. My mother has almost every day headache.
   2. When we were on vacation, we had breakfast at 10 am.
   3. How many hours a week do you (form) learn Luxembourgish?

Check the solution by downloading the PDF and practice  with MORE sentences to translate !

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I hope you liked it and found it useful. And …. why not sharing this lesson with your friends:-)