wéinst / trotz / wärend
Because of, Despite, During
wéinst dem Wieder (because of the weather), trotz dem Reen (despite the rain), wärend der Woch (during the week). All three take the dative.
How It Works
1. Meaning and case
- wéinst (because of): wéinst dem Wieder, wéinst engem Accident
- trotz (despite, in spite of): trotz dem Reen, trotz senger Blessur
- wärend (during): wärend der Woch, wärend dem Film
All three take the dative, like the other dative prepositions. German uses the genitive with them, but with nouns Luxembourgish does not: say wéinst dem Wieder, never wéinst des Wieders.
2. With pronouns
Use dative pronouns: wéinst mir, wéinst him, trotz allem. With wéinst you will also hear old genitive forms: wéinst menger (because of me), wéinst senger (because of him). See Traces of the Old Genitive.
3. Adjectives after them
An adjective takes the dative endings: trotz dem schlechte Wieder, wärend der ganzer Rees. See Adjective Endings in the Dative.
4. Preposition or conjunction?
A preposition needs a noun. To give a reason, a contrast or a time with a whole clause, use a conjunction with the verb at the end:
- wéinst dem Reen → well et reent
- trotz dem Reen → obwuel et reent
- wärend dem Iessen → wärend mir iessen
For despite that without a noun, use the adverb trotzdeem.
5. Word order
A phrase with one of these prepositions can open the sentence. The verb then comes right after it: Wéinst dem Wieder bleiwe mer doheem.
Examples (6)
- Wéinst dem Wieder bleiwe mer doheem.
Because of the weather, we're staying at home.
The phrase comes first, so the verb comes next. Bleiwen loses its n before m.
- Trotz dem Ree si mer spadséiere gaangen.
Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
Dem Reen is dative, and Reen loses its n before s. Sinn becomes si before m.
- Wärend der Woch schaffen ech zu Lëtzebuerg.
During the week, I work in Luxembourg.
Woch is feminine, so the dative article is der.
- Ech hu wéinst him meng Aarbecht verluer.
I lost my job because of him.
Him is the dative pronoun.
- Trotz senger Blessur huet hien net opginn.
Despite his injury, he didn't give up.
Senger is the feminine dative of säin, because Blessur is feminine.
- Wärend dem Film ass hatt ageschlof.
She fell asleep during the film.
Film is masculine, so the dative article is dem.
Common Mistakes
Using the German genitive.
Wéinst des Wieders bleiwe mer doheem.Wéinst dem Wieder bleiwe mer doheem.Luxembourgish uses the dative after wéinst, trotz and wärend, not the genitive.
Using the accusative.
Trotz de Ree si mer spadséiere gaangen.Trotz dem Ree si mer spadséiere gaangen.Trotz takes the dative, so masculine Reen needs dem.
Using wéinst before a whole clause.
Ech bleiwen doheem, wéinst et reent.Ech bleiwen doheem, well et reent.Wéinst is a preposition and needs a noun. Before a clause, use the conjunction well.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Because Of, Despite, During, learn Prepositions With the Dative and Although: Obwuel.
Related Patterns
- Traces of the Old Genitive
Explains old forms like wéinst menger.
Level 6 - wellBecause: Well
The conjunction to use instead of wéinst before a clause.
Level 2 - wärend (While)While: Wärend
Wärend is also a conjunction that means while.
Level 4 - trotzdeemNevertheless: Trotzdeem
The adverb that means despite that.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice wéinst / trotz / wärend in Bubblegum
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