jemals
ever
At any point in the past, present, or future; at some time. Often used in questions and negative sentences.
EXAMPLE
Hast du jemals so etwas Schönes gesehen?
Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?
jemals
ever
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Meanings
Usage tips
Sentence structure and use
'Jemals' (ever) is mainly used in two situations: in questions and in sentences with a negation, for example with 'nicht' (not), 'niemand' (nobody), or 'kaum' (hardly). In simple positive statements, it is rare.
EXAMPLE
Warst du jemals in Australien?
Have you ever been to Australia?
Word structure
The word is made up of 'je' (ever/always) and the suffix '-mals', which has a time-related meaning. You can also find this suffix in words like 'damals' (back then), 'niemals' (never), or 'oftmals' (often).
EXAMPLE
Niemals hätte ich gedacht, dass das möglich ist.
I would never have thought that was possible.
Use with the superlative
'Jemals' (ever) is often used together with a superlative to strengthen a statement. It emphasizes that something is the best, worst, most beautiful, etc. over an entire period of time.
EXAMPLE
Das war der beste Kuchen, den ich jemals gegessen habe.
That was the best cake I have ever eaten.
Compare with
jemals vs je
ever / per
Je and jemals both mean “ever” or “at any time” in questions and negative statements, and they are often interchangeable. Je is usually more concise or slightly more formal. Jemals is more neutral and can emphasize the open time span more strongly.
jemals
Hast du jemals daran gedacht, ein Jahr im Ausland zu leben?
Have you ever thought about living abroad for a year?
je
Hast du je daran gedacht, ein Jahr im Ausland zu leben?
Have you ever thought about living abroad for a year?
In real life
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