zweimal
twice
Indicates that an action or event is repeated two times or takes place at two different points in time.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe heute schon zweimal bei dir angerufen.
I already called you twice today.
zweimal
twice
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Meanings
zweimal
twice
Refers to twice the amount or number of something.
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern zweimal Pommes mit Ketchup, bitte.
I'd like two orders of fries with ketchup, please.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of the number word 'zwei' (two) and the suffix '-mal' (times). This suffix is used to indicate the frequency of an action and is very productive (e.g., einmal, dreimal, zehnmal).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den Film schon dreimal gesehen.
I've already seen the film three times.
Word order
As an adverb, 'zweimal' (twice) can stand flexibly in the sentence. In position 1, it introduces the sentence and the verb follows directly after it. Inside the sentence, it usually comes after the verb and the subject.
EXAMPLE
Zweimal pro Woche gehe ich zum Sport.
Twice a week, I go to the gym.
Context clue
The meaning 'twice the amount' is usually recognized in ordering situations, often in combination with a plural noun. The meaning 'two different times', on the other hand, refers to the repetition of an action.
EXAMPLE
Wir nehmen zweimal die Nudeln mit Tomatensoße.
We'll take two orders of the noodles with tomato sauce.
Compare with
zweimal vs doppelt
double
zweimal usually refers to how often an action or event takes place. doppelt, on the other hand, mainly describes twice the amount or extent. Use zweimal for repetitions and doppelt when an amount or size is doubled.
zweimal
Bitte rufen Sie mich heute zweimal an.
Please call me twice today.
doppelt
Bitte schicken Sie mir die doppelte Menge Reis.
Please send me double the amount of rice.
In real life
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