mal
Translation
times, once, just
Examples
Drei mal drei ist neun.
Three times three is nine.
Komm mal her!
Just come here!
Ich war schon mal dort.
I have been there once.
Grammar Patterns
((num.)) times ((num.)) (multiplication) Drei mal drei ist neun.
((imperative)) mal just (softens command) Komm mal her!
schon mal ever, before (in the past) Ich war schon mal dort.
Similar Words
Synonyms: times, once; Antonyms: never
Etymology
Short form of 'einmal' (one time), from Old High German 'māl' (point in time).
Memory Tips
Used for math (times) and as a filler word to soften commands (like 'just' or 'real quick').