doppelt
double
Indicating twice the amount or number of something.
EXAMPLE
Für das Rezept brauche ich die doppelte Menge Mehl.
For the recipe, I need double the amount of flour.
doppelt
double
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
doppelt
double
Consisting of two identical or similar parts.
EXAMPLE
Bitte schließen Sie die Tür mit dem doppelten Riegel ab.
Please lock the door with the double bolt.
doppelt
double
In a figurative sense: dishonest or deceitful, by taking two opposing positions at the same time.
EXAMPLE
Er führt ein doppeltes Leben und betrügt seine Partnerin.
He leads a double life and is cheating on his partner.
doppelt hält besser
better safe than sorry
A proverb meaning that double protection or doing something twice provides more security.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Datei auf zwei verschiedenen Festplatten gespeichert, denn doppelt hält besser.
I saved the file on two different hard drives, because better safe than sorry.
Usage tips
Adverbial use
The word 'doppelt' (double/twice) can be used like an adverb without a declension ending to modify a verb or another adjective. It then means 'twice' or 'in a double way'.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Tür doppelt abgeschlossen.
I double-locked the door.
Comparison structure
'Doppelt' (double/twice) is very often used in comparisons with the structure 'doppelt so + Adjektiv + wie' (twice as + adjective + as). This expresses that something has twice as much of a quality as something else.
EXAMPLE
Sein neues Auto ist doppelt so teuer wie mein altes.
His new car is twice as expensive as my old one.
Figurative meaning
In a figurative sense, 'doppelt' (double) can also mean 'dishonest' or 'ambiguous'. It often occurs in fixed expressions like 'ein doppeltes Spiel spielen' (to play a double game) or 'ein doppeltes Leben führen' (to lead a double life).
EXAMPLE
Der Agent führte ein gefährliches doppeltes Leben.
The agent led a dangerous double life.
Proverb
The expression 'Doppelt hält besser' (better safe than sorry) is a well-known proverb. It is used to express that an additional safeguard or repeating an action increases security.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe eine Kopie der wichtigen Dokumente gemacht – doppelt hält besser.
I made a copy of the important documents — better safe than sorry.
Compare with
doppelt vs falsch
wrong / false
Both words can describe a dishonest person. Falsch can be used directly as a predicate and generally refers to insincerity or hypocrisy. Doppelt usually has this meaning in fixed expressions such as „doppeltes Spiel“. Therefore, use Falsch in general and Doppelt especially in such expressions.
doppelt
Er spielt doppeltes Spiel und verspricht beiden Seiten seine Unterstützung.
He is playing both sides and promises both sides his support.
falsch
Er ist falsch und erzählt jedem etwas anderes.
He is two-faced and tells everyone something different.
In real life
Loading video examples...