The Eifeler Regel (n-rule)
When a final -n is kept (before vowels and n, d, t, z, h) and when it drops
I can recognise and apply the n-rule: keep a final -n before vowels and n, d, t, z, h, drop it before other consonants.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Ich bin zu Hause, aber ich bin müde.
I am at home, but I am tired.
Der Apfel und der Kuchen sind auf dem Tisch.
The apple and the cake are on the table.
Wenn wir Zeit haben, gehe ich in die Stadt.
If we have time, I go into town.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
D'Eifeler Regel (n-Reegel) ass déi bekanntst Aussproochregel am Lëtzebuergeschen: e finaalt -n (oder -nn) fält ewech, wann dat nächst Wuert mat engem Konsonant ufänkt — ausser virun n, d, t, z, h a virun de Vokaler.
Wéini bleift den -n?
| Nächst Wuert fänkt un mat | -n | Beispill |
|---|---|---|
| Vokal (a, e, i, o, u) | bleift ✓ | den Apel, Ech sinn et |
| n, d, t, z, h | bleift ✓ | den Dag, den Hond, wann nëmmen |
| anere Konsonant | fält ewech ✗ | de Bäcker, Ech si frou, wa mer |
Sätz mat der Eifeler Regel
- Ech sinn doheem. — d virum d bleift den -n stoen
- Ech si midd. — virum m fält den -n ewech
- Mir ginn an d'Schoul. — virum Vokal bleift den -n
- Mir gi mat him. — virum m fält den -n ewech
- Hien huet den Telefon. — virum t bleift den -n
D'Reegel gëllt fir Verben (sinn/si, ginn/gi), Artikelen (den/de, en/e), Pronomen (wann/wa) — iwwerall, wou e Wuert op -n endet. Um Enn vum Saz a virun enger Paus bleift den -n ëmmer stoen.
Merkhëllef: n-d-t-z-h — nëmme virun dëse Konsonanten (an de Vokaler) iwwerlieft den -n.
Learners keep the -n everywhere or drop it everywhere. It alternates by the next word's first sound: den Apel / de Bäcker, Ech sinn et / Ech si frou.
Common Error Patterns
Final -n kept where it must drop (e.g. *sinn frou, *den Bäcker)
Drop the -n before consonants other than n, d, t, z, h: si frou, de Bäcker.
Final -n dropped where it must stay (e.g. *de Apel, *si et)
Keep the -n before vowels and n, d, t, z, h: den Apel, sinn et.
Ich bin zu Hause, aber ich bin müde.
I am at home, but I am tired.
sinn before d (doheem) keeps -n; si before m (midd) drops it - same verb, one sentence.
Der Apfel und der Kuchen sind auf dem Tisch.
The apple and the cake are on the table.
den before a vowel (Apel), de before K (Kuch) - the article alternates by the rule.
Wenn wir Zeit haben, gehe ich in die Stadt.
If we have time, I go into town.
wann becomes wa before m (mer); ginn keeps -n before a vowel (ech... an).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises