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The Official Luxembourg Language

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Luxembourg is a small European country that has 3 official languages, and the Luxembourg language environment is unique due to its multilingual culture. The 3 languages are Luxembourgish, French and German. Each language plays an important role in society and makes this country a unique blend of European influence. In this article, we explore how these languages shape daily life and education in Luxembourg.

Luxembourgish

Luxembourgish is the national language of Luxembourg and is mostly used in everyday conversations. Citizens speak it at home, socially and in informal situations. Additionally, French and German are also widely spoken. Learning basic-level Luxembourgish is a good idea if anyone’s planning on travelling to the country in order to communicate better with locals and experience its rich culture more efficiently. Luxembourgish is an important part of the country’s unique heritage.

French

French is also an important part of the Luxembourg language environment. It’s most commonly used in the government, law and business sectors. Most official documents are written in French, and it’s a preferred language in many professional areas. The schools in Luxembourg also teach French from an early age to ensure children become fluent in multiple languages. French gives Luxembourg an international touch and highlights its close ties with France.

German

German is widely used in the education system and media. The texts in newspapers, for example, are most commonly in German. Like French, schools introduce German early on, and students speak the language alongside Luxembourgish and French. This makes Luxembourg rich in linguistic diversity. While Luxembourgish dominates informal communication, German plays an important role in formal education and business interactions.

photo of Vianden Castle on Hill over Town in Luxembourg
Photo by Sander van Veluw

Multilingualism in Luxembourg

Multilingualism is a part of daily life in Luxembourg. Residents switch between Luxembourgish, French and German effortlessly depending on the situation they’re in. The multilingual nature of the country reflects its close relationships with neighbouring countries. The Luxembourg language experience is quite unique and offers a rare opportunity to experience multiple languages in everyday life. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is English spoken in Luxembourg?

While Luxembourgish, French and German are the official languages of Luxembourg, English is also widely spoken there. 

While English is not an official language of Luxembourg, it is widely spoken there. Therefore, yes, you should be able to settle there, but it’s advised to learn basic level of Luxembourgish or French in order to better communicate with the locals and settle in comfortably in the community.

The top 3 languages in Luxembourg are Luxembourgish, French and German. These 3 Luxembourg languages are also the official languages of the country.

Hello in Luxembourgish is Moien. Additionally, here are some common phrases in Luxembourgish:

  • Goodbye: Äddi
  • How are you?: Wéi geet et dir? (informal) / Wéi geet et Iech? (formal)
  • I’m fine: Et geet mir gutt
  • I’m not fine: Et geet mir net gutt

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