a thousand times
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a thousand times
Used as a colloquial exaggeration to express that something has happened or been said very often. It does not literally mean exactly 1,000 times, but simply 'very often'.
Ich habe dir schon tausendmal gesagt, du sollst deine Jacke aufhängen!
I've told you a thousand times already to hang up your jacket!
The word consists of the number 'tausend' (thousand) and the ending '-mal' (times). This ending is added to numbers to form an adverb indicating frequency or repetition, for example 'einmal' (once), 'zweimal' (twice), 'hundertmal' (a hundred times).
Ich habe den Film schon dreimal gesehen.
I've already seen the film three times.
As an adverb, 'tausendmal' (a thousand times) usually stands in the middle of the sentence. To emphasize it strongly, you can put it at the beginning of the sentence. Then the verb must follow directly after it in position 2 (inversion).
Ich habe es dir doch tausendmal erklärt.
I've explained it to you a thousand times.
The exaggerated meaning ('very often') is typical of colloquial language and emotional statements. The exact, literal meaning, by contrast, is found in technical, scientific, or mathematical contexts.
Ich habe dich heute gefühlt tausendmal angerufen! (Übertrieben)
I feel like I've called you a thousand times today! (Exaggerated)
In its exaggerated meaning, 'tausendmal' (a thousand times) is often combined with verbs of saying: 'tausendmal gesagt' (said a thousand times), 'tausendmal gefragt' (asked a thousand times). It is also common as an intensifier in an apology: 'Tausendmal Entschuldigung!' (A thousand apologies!)
Tausendmal Entschuldigung, ich habe die Zeit komplett vergessen!
A thousand apologies, I completely lost track of time!
often
'oft' and 'tausendmal' can both say that something happens frequently. 'oft' is neutral and can be used in almost any context. It simply means that something occurs many times or in many cases. In this meaning, 'tausendmal' is usually a colloquial exaggeration. It does not mean exactly 1,000 times, but rather 'very often'. It sounds more emotional, sometimes impatient or especially emphatic. If you want to stay factual, use 'oft'. If you want to strongly emphasize that something has happened very frequently, 'tausendmal' fits.
Ich habe dir tausendmal gesagt, dass du den Schlüssel mitnehmen sollst.
I've told you a thousand times to take the key with you.
Vor wichtigen Terminen prüfe ich oft noch einmal meine E-Mails.
Before important appointments, I often check my emails one more time.