01
schonmal
ever
The colloquial, written-as-one-word form of 'schon mal'. It asks or states whether something has already happened at an earlier point in time.
example
Warst du schonmal in Paris?
Have you ever been to Paris?
schonmal
ever / for now
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Colloquial spelling
'Schonmal' is the combined spelling common in colloquial language and informal written communication (e.g., chats). The standard correct spelling is always separate: 'schon mal'.
EXAMPLE
Hast du das schon mal probiert?
Have you ever tried that?
Context clue
The meaning can be recognized from context. If 'schon mal' appears in a question in the perfect tense, it refers to a previous experience ('ever'). In a request or suggestion, it means 'to start with' or 'as a first step' ('for now').
EXAMPLE
Wart ihr schon mal am Meer? (frühere Erfahrung)
Have you ever been to the sea? (previous experience)
Asking about experiences
In the meaning 'already before', 'schon mal' is very often used in questions with the perfect tense to ask about general life experiences. The typical sentence structure is: 'Hast/Bist du schon mal ... [past participle]?'
EXAMPLE
Hast du schon mal Sushi selbst gemacht?
Have you ever made sushi yourself?
Introducing actions
In the meaning 'in the meantime' or 'to start with', 'schon mal' introduces a preliminary action. It often appears in requests (imperative) or suggestions.
EXAMPLE
Fang du schonmal mit dem Kochen an, ich komme gleich nach.
You start cooking for now; I'll be right behind you.
Compare with
schonmal vs schon
already
'schon' and 'schonmal' are both connected to something that has already happened or happens in advance. 'schon' is the normal form and often means 'already'. 'schonmal' is colloquial for 'schon mal'. It often asks about a past experience or means that you do something first or provisionally. Learners can easily confuse the words because 'schonmal' begins with 'schon'. The important point is: 'schon' can stand on its own, but 'schonmal' sounds spoken and does not fit every meaning of 'schon'.
schonmal
Wir bereiten schonmal die Werkzeuge vor, damit morgen alles schneller geht.
We'll get the tools ready for now so that everything goes faster tomorrow.
schon
Die Kundin hat die Rechnung schon bezahlt.
The customer has already paid the invoice.
In real life
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