Welcome to a new episode — especially for those of you working in an office environment, whether you’re new to the job, doing an internship, or have been working in a team for a while.
Today, we’re zooming in on one essential communication skill: how to ask for and offer help at your desk — op Lëtzebuergesch. Also an dëser Episod léiere mir, wéi een Hëllef freet oder Hëllef ubitt, wann een am Büro sëtzt.
We’ll cover common phrases and core questions, you can start using right away — whether you need help with a document, can’t figure out the printer, or want to offer support to a colleague.
This episode is part of our new series on industry-specific Luxembourgish language, where we explore practical vocabulary and expressions tailored to your professional life.
Asking for Help
Imagine you’ve just started working in a new office, or you’re a trainee doing an internship at a company. Learn 6 key questions you’re likely to ask a colleague when you need help with a task.
First you’ll need to know how to ask in a natural and informal way: can you …. Kanns du
Note that native speakers tend to pronounce “du” “de” here. So you’ll hear: “Kanns de”
- Kanns de mir hëllefen, wgl? – Can you help me?
- Kanns de mir weisen, wéi d’Imprimante geet? – Can you show me how the printer works?
- Kanns de nach eng Kéier kucken, ob et richteg ass? – Can you check again, if it’s correct?
- Ech brauch Hëllef mat dësem Dossier. – I need help with this file.
- Hues de eng Minutt? Ech ginn net eens heimat – Do you have a minute? I can’t manage herewith
Ech verstinn net ganz. Kanss de mer dat erklären, wgl?– I don’t quite understand. Can you explain that to me, please?
Offering Help
Useful when collaborating or when you notice a colleague needs support.
- Soll ech der hëllefen? – Should I help you?
- Wann s de wëlls, kann ech dat maachen. – If you want, I can do that.
- Ech kann dat fir dech maachen. – I can do that for you.
- Wëlls de, datt ech e Bléck op däin Dossier werfen? – Do you want me to take a look at your matter?
- Mell dech, wann s du eppes brauchs. – Let me know if you need anything.
👉 Note: Explain “wann s du eppes brauchs” as a very natural, kind way to offer help.
Sample Dialogue
Scenario: One colleague is stuck with a report and asks another for help.
Lisa: Moien Tom, hues de eng Minutt?
Tom: Jo, firwat?
Lisa: Ech brauch deng Hëllef mat dësem Dossier. Ech verstinn net ganz, wéi ech d’Donnéeë muss aginn.
Tom: Kee Problem. Soll ech der weisen, wéi et geet?
Lisa: Jo, w.e.g.
Tom: Kuck, hei muss de fir d’éischt dësen Deel ausfëllen. D’Informatiounen aus dësem Fichier huelen an hei an d’Felder androen.
Lisa: Ah, okay. An dëse Code hei – wou kréien ech deen hier?
Tom: Dee steet normalerweis an der Introduktioun vum Dossier. Wann net, fro beim Sekretariat no.
Lisa: Verstanen. A wann ech fäerdeg sinn, soll ech et dir zréckginn?
Tom: Jo, dat wier super. Ech kontrolléieren et dann nach eng Kéier.
Lisa: Merci, Tom! Du bass mir eng grouss Hëllef.
Tom: Kee Problem, gär geschitt!
Want to speak Luxembourgish more confidently at work?
Join our Speak Business Luxembourgish Confidently Club — a small-group class where you’ll actively use key workplace vocabulary, sharpen your listening skills, and get real-time feedback from a coach.
Wrap-Up
Haut hues du geléiert:
✔ Wéi een Hëllef freet
✔ Wéi een Hëllef ubitt
✔ Wéi een dat alles op eng héiflech, natierlech Manéier seet
Versich dës Woch op der Aarbecht op Lëtzebuergesch ze froen:
Hues de eng Minutt? oder Soll ech der hëllefen?
👉 If you’re ready to go deeper and learn how to speak confidently and appropriately in formal or business settings, check out my self-study course “Formal and Business Luxembourgish Language.” It’s designed for professionals who want practical language, to express themselves clearly and correctly at work.
