Mal
Example: Ich habe heute zum ersten Mal Deutsch gelernt.
Definition
"Mal" is a German adverb used to indicate an instance or occurrence, often translated as 'time' in English when referring to how many times something happens. For example, in the phrase "Ich habe heute zum ersten Mal Deutsch gelernt," it means 'for the first time.'
Etymology
The German word "Mal" originates from Old High German "mal," meaning 'sign' or 'mark.' Over time, its meaning evolved to denote an occurrence or instance, much like a 'mark' indicating a specific event or time. Did you know that this root is related to the English word 'meal,' which originally meant a fixed time for eating?
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"Mal" appears in the Vocaplus list "German - General - (A1) - set 4", containing 104 commonly used words.
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