Learn to use the preposi.
on MAT correctly
The Luxembourgish preposi0on mat is a common preposi0on and it is hard to speak
without using it in a conversa0on. But almost all my students are struggling with
mat when using it in a sentence.
WHY?
Well, because mat is a preposi.on which requires to always use the da.ve
case. That is, it is followed by a noun or takes an object in the da0ve case.
Take for example the following two phrases. Which one do you think is correct?
1 HaE geet mat Sandra akafen. - She goes shopping with Sandra.
2 HaE geet mam Sandra akafen. - She goes shopping with Sandra.
To know the correct answer, you should learn:
A) that in Luxembourgish we use an definite ar0cle before the first name of people,
this means we use the masculine definite ar0cle den before a masculine name e.g.
den David and the neuter definite ar0cle d' before a female name, e.g.d'Anne (yes,
female names are neuter!).
Now the Luxembourgish Ar0cles change in the da0ve case. Check the Luxembourgish
Ar0cles in this lesson.
Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
Definite ar.cle dem der dem den
Indef. ar.cle engem enger engem -
Possessive ar.cle mengem menger mengem mengen
(ech - I)
B) the da.ve preposi0on mat can contract: combined with the definite ar0cles
masculine and neuter - dem - it forms a contracted short form: mam. mam is the
contracted short form of mat dem which means with the.
Now let's come back to our 2 phrases. Hopefully you understand now why phrase 2 is
the correct one.
As we have the preposi.on mat we have to use the da.ve definite neuter
ar0cle dem before Sandra, i.e. mat demSandra which contracts to mam Sandra.
© Luxembourgish with Anne. All Rights Reserved 1
And don't forget to use as well the personal pronouns in the da0ve case with the
preposi0on mat.
📌 My learning .p📌
Learn preposi0ons as part of a preposi0onal phrase. This is similar to learning nouns
with their genders, as I also recommend.
For example, memorizing group of words such as mat menge Kanner (with my kids)
or mat hinnen (with them) sets the combina0on in your mind AND reminds you that
mat takes a da0ve object (menge Kanner, hinnen). This method can help move you
towards an increased level of a feeling for the Luxembourgish language.
Simply learn in chunks, i.e. in group of words that always go togethter. A good
example is a chunk such as mam Auto (by car), mam Bus (by bus).
Example Sentences with MAT
• Mäi Mann geet samschdes mat engem Frënd an d’Schwämm. - My husband
goes to the swimming pool with a friend on Saturdays.
• Ech schwätzen ëmmer mat der Nopesch iwwer d’Wieder. - I always talk about
the weather with the neighbour.
• De Weekend fueren ech o[ mat menge Kanner Vëlo. - At the weekend I oAen
cycle with my kids.
• Hien ass mam Meedchen bei den Dokter gaang. - He went to the docter with
the girl.
• Gees du den Owend mat mir (pronoun) an den Theater? - Are you going to
the theater with me this evening.
Let's prac.ce:
Complete the sentences with the preposi0on mat & correct ar.cle
1. Ech fuere ____________________ (with my) Famill op Paräis.
2. Meng Eltere ginn dëst Joer _______________ (with us) an d’Vakanz.
3. Mäi Mann spillt mat ________________ (with a) Frënd samschdes Tennis.
4. HaE ass _________(with the) Kand op der Spillplaz.
5. Ech muss ___________ (with the) Kaz bei den Déierendokter goen.
© Luxembourgish with Anne. All Rights Reserved 2
6. Geet den Tom ____________ (with you plural) an de Restaurant?
7. Mir gi(nn) ____________ (with the) Kanner muer an d’Schwämm.
8. Fiers du all Dag _______ (with your) Vëlo schaffen?
9. HaE geet ëmmer __________ (with) Frënn an d’Vakanz.
10. Ech ginn den Owend _________ Sandra an de Kino.
Solu.ons:
1. Ech fuere mat menger Famill op Paräis.
2. Meng Eltere ginn dëst Joer mat eis an d’Vakanz.
3. Mäi Mann spillt mat engem Frënd samschdes Tennis.
4. HaE ass mam Kand op der Spillplaz.
5. Ech muss mat der Kaz bei den Déierendokter goen.
6. Geet den Tom mat iech an de Restaurant?
7. Mir gi mat de Kanner muer an d’Schwämm.
8. Fiers du all Dag mat dengem Vëlo schaffen?
9. HaE geet ëmmer mat Frënn an d’Vakanz.
10. Ech ginn den Owend mam Sandra an de Kino.
© Luxembourgish with Anne. All Rights Reserved 3
