das Mal
time
Refers to a point in time or an event that is repeated or stands in a series. Often used with ordinal numbers or adjectives.
EXAMPLE
Das erste Mal ist immer etwas Besonderes.
The first time is always something special.
das Mal
time / mark
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Meanings
das Mal
mark
A visible sign or marking on a surface, especially on the skin (e.g., birthmark, mole).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ein kleines Mal über der Lippe.
She has a small mark above her lip.
das Mal
memorial
A monument or memorial erected in memory of a person or an event. This meaning is rather formal or outdated.
EXAMPLE
Im Park wurde ein Mal für die gefallenen Soldaten errichtet.
A memorial for the fallen soldiers was erected in the park.
Usage tips
Common mistake
Don't confuse 'das Mal' (noun, capitalized) with 'mal' (particle, lowercase). 'Das Mal' is an event or a marking, while 'mal' makes a request friendlier or means 'einmal' (once).
EXAMPLE
Das war das erste Mal, dass ich geflogen bin.
That was the first time I flew.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'Ereignis' (event) or 'Zeitpunkt' (point in time), 'das Mal' (time) almost always appears with an ordinal number or an adjective. Typical combinations are 'das erste/letzte Mal' (the first/last time), 'dieses/nächstes Mal' (this/next time), and 'jedes Mal' (every time).
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Mal machen wir es besser.
Next time we'll do it better.
Mostly in compounds
In the meaning of 'Markierung auf der Haut' (marking on the skin), 'Mal' is now almost only used in compound words. The best-known examples are 'das Muttermal' (birthmark) and 'das Brandmal' (brand mark).
EXAMPLE
Schon als Kind hatte sie dieses kleine Muttermal an der Wange.
She had this small birthmark on her cheek even as a child.
Word component of 'Denkmal'
The outdated meaning 'Mahnmal' (memorial) is now mainly relevant as part of words like 'das Denkmal' (monument) or 'das Mahnmal' (memorial). On its own, 'das Mal' is hardly used in this sense anymore.
EXAMPLE
Das Denkmal erinnert an einen berühmten Dichter.
The monument commemorates a famous poet.
Compare with
Mal vs einmal
once
„Das Mal“ is a countable event or occasion and is often used with an article, a number, or an adjective. „Einmal“ is an adverb and simply describes something happening on only one occasion. Use „ein Mal“ when you want to emphasize the single unit; otherwise, usually use „einmal“.
Mal
Ich habe ihn erst ein Mal bei der Arbeit gesehen.
I have only seen him once at work.
einmal
Ich habe ihn bisher nur einmal bei der Arbeit gesehen.
I have only seen him once at work so far.
In real life
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