ever / per
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the ... the
Used in comparisons to express a proportional relationship between two things. A change in one thing leads to a corresponding change in the other.
Je mehr man übt, desto besser wird man.
The more you practice, the better you get.
The exact meaning of 'je' almost always depends on the words it is used with. Pay special attention to fixed combinations like 'je ... desto' (the ... the), 'je nachdem' (depending on), or 'von jeher' (always/from time immemorial).
Je nachdem, ob die Sonne scheint, machen wir einen Ausflug.
Depending on whether the sun is shining, we'll go on a trip.
This structure has a fixed word order. The 'je' part is a subordinate clause with the verb at the end. The 'desto' part introduces a main clause, in which the verb comes directly after 'desto' and the comparative.
Je schneller du läufst, desto früher kommst du an.
The faster you run, the earlier you arrive.
In the meaning of 'pro' (per), 'je' is used almost exclusively with numbers and units. It is often found with prices, quantities, or speeds.
Die Karten für das Konzert kosten 40 Euro je Stück.
The tickets for the concert cost 40 euros each.
In the meaning of 'jemals' (ever), 'je' mainly occurs in questions or sentences with a negation (e.g. 'nie' (never), 'niemand' (no one), 'kaum' (hardly)). It is rarely used in simple affirmative statements.
Hast du je so etwas Schönes gesehen?
Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?
The expression 'je nachdem' (depending on) can introduce a subordinate clause that begins with a question word (ob, was, wie, wann). This subordinate clause describes the condition.
Ich komme heute oder morgen, je nachdem, was für dich besser passt.
I'll come today or tomorrow, depending on what works better for you.
The expression 'von jeher' means 'schon immer' (always) and is a fixed expression. It can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence to emphasize a long tradition or an unchanged state.
Dieses Fest wird in unserem Dorf von jeher gefeiert.
This festival has always been celebrated in our village.
never
'nie' and 'je' can both appear in sentences about time. The important difference is: 'nie' is fully negative and means 'at no time' or 'never'. In this use, 'je' is closer to 'ever' or 'at any time' and often appears in questions or negative sentences. Learners may confuse the words because both are often connected with life experiences. Remember: 'nie' is already negative. 'je' asks or checks whether something has ever happened at all.
Hast du Clara je bei der Arbeit getroffen?
Have you ever met Clara at work?
Ich habe dieses Werkzeug nie benutzt.
I have never used this tool.