méi

See also: mei, Mei, mèi, Méi, měi, me'i, and Méï

Luxembourgish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mei̯/, [mɜɪ̯] (basic form)

  • Audio

    (file)

  • Rhymes: -ɜɪ
• IPA^(key): /mi/ (reduced form, chiefly of the adverb)

Etymology 1

From Old High German mē, from Proto-Germanic *maiz, adverbial form of *maizô. Cognate with German mehr, Dutch meer, West Frisian mear, English more.

The use for the formation of the comparative is probably not in itself due to French influence, regarding that the Germanic superlative has remained entirely functional. It is, however, possible that the development was reinforced by French.

Adverb

méi

1. comparative degree of vill

   Ech hu méi geschafft ewéi du.

   I’ve worked more than you.

2. Used to form the comparative forms of most adjectives.

   Hien ass méi staark ewéi ech.

   He is stronger than me.

Usage notes

• Apart from méi itself, the only comparatives remaining in general use are manner (“less”) and besser (“better”). The form gréisser (“greater, bigger”) is used alongside méi grouss.
• Some other adjectives also retain comparative forms. However, these are rarely, if ever, used in actual comparative function, but rather to express a vague degree:

eeler Leit ― elderly people, fairly old people

viru längerer Zäit ― some time ago, a fairly long time ago

mat klengere Blessuren ― with minor injuries, with fairly small injuries

• Some comparatives are also used in other lexicalised senses:

de fréiere President ― the former president

Hie kënnt spéider. ― He’ll arrive later / at some future time.

Hie leeft weider. ― He walks on / walks further / continues to walk.

Adjective

méi

1. comparative degree of vill

   Ech hu méi Frënn ewéi du.

   I have more friends than you.

Etymology 2

Verb

méi

1. second-person singular imperative of méien

Mandarin

Alternative forms

• mei – nonstandard

Pronunciation

• audio

  (file)

Romanization

méi (mei², Zhuyin ㄇㄟˊ)

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