dofir / also
That's Why: Dofir and Also
Dofir (that is why) and also (so) introduce a result. The verb comes straight after them: Et ass spéit, also gi mer heem.
How It Works
1. Reason, then result
With dofir and also, you first say the reason and then the result. They start the result clause and fill its first place, so the conjugated verb follows directly and the subject comes after the verb. See The Verb Comes Second.
- Ech war krank, dofir sinn ech net komm. (I was sick, that is why I did not come.)
- Et ass spéit, also gi mer heem. (It is late, so we are going home.)
2. Dofir or also?
- dofir points back to a cause: that is why, for that reason. Its synonym is dowéinst.
- also draws a conclusion: so, therefore. It often introduces advice or a decision: Du hues Féiwer, also bleifs de am Bett.
3. Also is a false friend
Luxembourgish also means so or therefore, never too. For also in the English sense, use och: Ech schwätzen och Franséisch (I also speak French).
4. Inside the clause
Both words can also stand after the verb: Ech sinn dofir net komm. In a question, also means then or so: Du kënns also muer? (So you are coming tomorrow?)
5. Dofir or well?
Well gives the same link in the other direction. It starts the reason clause and sends the verb to the end: Ech sinn net komm, well ech krank war.
6. Another meaning of dofir
Dofir can also mean for it, as a do + preposition form: Ech hu keng Zäit dofir (I have no time for it).
Examples (6)
- Ech war krank, dofir sinn ech net komm.
I was sick, that's why I didn't come.
The verb sinn comes right after dofir.
- Et ass spéit, also gi mer heem.
It's late, so we're going home.
Also takes first place; ginn becomes gi before m.
- Du hues Féiwer, also bleifs de am Bett.
You have a fever, so you are staying in bed.
Also introduces a conclusion or advice. Bleifs de is the du form of bleiwen with de after the verb.
- De Bus hat Verspéidung, dofir sinn ech ze spéit op d'Aarbecht komm.
The bus was late, that's why I got to work late.
- Mir hunn net vill Suen, dofir kache mer doheem.
We don't have much money, so we cook at home.
Kachen loses its n before m.
- Du kënns also muer?
So you are coming tomorrow?
Inside a question, also means so or then.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the subject before the verb after dofir or also.
Ech war krank, dofir ech sinn net komm.Ech war krank, dofir sinn ech net komm.Dofir takes the first place, so the verb sinn must come second, before the subject ech.
Sending the verb to the end, as after well.
Et ass spéit, also mir heem ginn.Et ass spéit, also gi mer heem.Also is an adverb, not a conjunction. The verb follows it directly.
Using also to mean too (intended meaning: I also speak French).
Ech schwätzen also Franséisch.Ech schwätzen och Franséisch.Also means so or therefore, so the first sentence says So I speak French. For too, use och.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before That's Why: Dofir and Also, learn Because: Well and Putting Something Else First.
Related Patterns
- dowéinst / deemnoBecause of That: Dowéinst and Deemno
Dowéinst is a synonym of dofir, and deemno is close to also.
Level 4 - trotzdeemNevertheless: Trotzdeem
Trotzdeem has the same word order but introduces an unexpected result.
Level 3 - och / nach / schonnAlso, Still and Already: Och, Nach, Schonn
Och, not also, is the word for also in the sense of too.
Level 2 - do- + PrepositionIt with Prepositions: Domat, Dofir, Dorop
Dofir can also mean for it, a do + preposition form.
Level 3 - The Verb Comes Second
Dofir and also take the first place, so the verb comes second.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice dofir / also in Bubblegum
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