Learn to use “si” and “hatt” correctly in Luxembourgish

IN Level A1

This is a topic I want to talk about because in my Luxembourgish coaching sessions I frequently hear my students hesitating whether they should say si or hatt when talking about a woman or a girl. Now a question to you:

Do you know when you should say in Luxembourgish si or hatt. Because both si and hatt translate into she (and her – depending on the verb used in the sentence).

Not really? What is the difference? Are you also thinking:

How will I ever get this right?

First of all, and especially at the beginning of your language learning journey, it is normal to make mistakes. And I will help you to understand this subject in a very easy way:

hatt (casual) is used when talking about:

a woman we know well, or
a girl who is relatively young, or
your own daughter, or a young female of your family.

Examples

D’Laura geet muer an d’Vakanz. Hatt flitt op New York. – Laura is going on holiday tomorrow. She will fly to New York.
Mäi Meedchen geet samschdes an d’Schwämm. Hatt schwëmmt gär. – My daughter goes to the swimming pool on Saturdays. She likes to swim.
Hues du dem Tom seng nei Frëndin gesinn? Hatt ass immens léif. – Have you seen Tom’s new girlfriend? She is very nice.

si (formal) conveys a certain respect and is used when talking about:

a woman who is famous, or
a woman who is older than you (your mother for instance), or
a woman who has a position of power (the CEO of a company, for example).

Examples:

D’Angela Merkel kënnt muer op Lëtzebuerg. Si trëfft sech mam Xavier Bettel. – A. Merkel is coming to Luxembourg tomorrow. She will meet with X. Bettel.
Meng Bomi ass gëschter gefall. Si huet sech d’Hand gebrach. – My grandma fell yesterday. She broke her hand.
Meng Cheffin huet de Moien e Rendez-vous mat engem neie Client. Si ass ganz nervös. – My boss has an appointment with a new client this morning. She is very nervous.