Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 adverb #1,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

Zweimal

Top 1,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces Zweimal en 30 secondes

Explication Zweimal in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'zweimal' is introduced as a fundamental vocabulary word essential for basic communication. It is taught as an adverb of frequency, allowing beginners to express how often an action occurs. Learners at this stage focus on simple sentence structures, typically placing 'zweimal' after the verb or at the end of a short sentence. For example, 'Ich esse zweimal' (I eat twice). It is also crucial for basic transactions, such as ordering food ('Zweimal Kaffee, bitte'). The primary goal at A1 is rote memorization of the word and its meaning ('twice'), recognizing it in spoken and written German, and using it to answer the question 'Wie oft?' (How often?). Teachers emphasize that it is written as one word to prevent early spelling habits from forming incorrectly. It is a highly practical word that yields immediate communicative benefits for beginners.

In the A2 level, the usage of 'zweimal' expands as learners begin to construct more complex sentences and use different tenses. Students learn to integrate 'zweimal' with time expressions, forming phrases like 'zweimal pro Woche' (twice a week) or 'zweimal im Jahr' (twice a year). This allows for describing routines and habits in greater detail. The placement of the adverb becomes more nuanced; learners practice the TeKaMoLo rule, understanding that 'zweimal' (Temporal) generally precedes location (Lokal). For instance, 'Ich fahre zweimal nach Berlin'. Furthermore, A2 learners practice using 'zweimal' in the conversational past (Perfekt), placing it correctly before the past participle: 'Ich habe das zweimal gemacht'. The focus shifts from simple counting to describing frequency within a specific timeframe, enhancing the learner's ability to narrate past events and describe daily life.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, learners are expected to use 'zweimal' with confidence and flexibility in a variety of contexts. They encounter the word in more authentic texts, such as news articles, formal letters, and literature. The grammatical focus includes using 'zweimal' to emphasize a point by placing it at the beginning of a sentence, which requires subject-verb inversion: 'Zweimal habe ich angerufen, aber niemand hat geantwortet'. B1 students also learn to distinguish 'zweimal' from related concepts like 'doppelt' (double) and 'zweifach' (twofold), understanding when to use an adverb versus an adjective. Idiomatic expressions begin to be introduced, such as 'Wer billig kauft, kauft zweimal', providing insight into German culture and conversational norms. The word is used to express frustration, persistence, or exact statistical data, reflecting a more mature grasp of the language.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

In the B2 level, 'zweimal' is utilized within highly complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses and passive voice constructions. Learners might say, 'Obwohl ich das Dokument zweimal überprüft habe, gab es noch Fehler' (Although I checked the document twice, there were still errors). The focus is on precision and flow. B2 students are expected to understand subtle nuances in spoken German, such as how intonation on 'zweimal' can convey annoyance or surprise. They also use it in professional and academic contexts, discussing data, trends, or procedures. The distinction between 'zweimal' and phrases like 'ein zweites Mal' (a second time) is refined, allowing for greater stylistic variety in writing and speaking. Mastery at this level means using the word automatically and correctly without conscious thought about its placement or spelling.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, the use of 'zweimal' is characterized by complete fluency and native-like intuition. Learners use it effortlessly in abstract, academic, or highly specialized professional discussions. They might encounter it in complex compound nouns or hyphenated forms in technical literature, though 'zweimal' itself remains an adverb. C1 users manipulate sentence structure for rhetorical effect, using 'zweimal' to build arguments or create emphasis in debates. They are fully aware of all idiomatic and colloquial uses and can employ them appropriately depending on the register (formal vs. informal). The word is integrated into sophisticated narratives, where frequency is just one element of a complex description. Errors with 'zweimal' at this level are virtually non-existent, as the word is deeply embedded in the learner's active vocabulary.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, the highest level of proficiency, the learner's command of 'zweimal' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. They understand its historical etymology and its role in the evolution of German adverbs. C2 users can play with the word in creative writing, poetry, or persuasive speeches. They grasp every subtle cultural connotation and can use it in spontaneous, rapid-fire conversation without hesitation. They are capable of analyzing texts where 'zweimal' is used to create specific literary effects, such as repetition or rhythm. At this stage, 'zweimal' is not just a vocabulary word to be learned, but a tool to be wielded with absolute precision and artistic flair, demonstrating a profound mastery of the German language's structural and semantic capabilities.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Zweimal en 30 secondes

Means 'twice' or 'two times'.
Always written as one single word.
Used to express the frequency of an action.
Often paired with time prepositions (e.g., zweimal pro Woche).

The German adverb 'zweimal' is an incredibly fundamental and frequently utilized vocabulary word that learners of the German language will encounter very early in their educational journey. It translates directly to the English word 'twice' or the phrase 'two times'. Understanding how to use 'zweimal' correctly is essential for expressing frequency, repetition, and quantity in everyday conversations, academic writing, and professional environments. When you want to communicate that an action has occurred on two separate occasions, or that a quantity is double a certain amount, 'zweimal' is the precise word you need. It is a compound word formed from the cardinal number 'zwei', meaning two, and the noun 'Mal', meaning time or occurrence. Over time, these two words merged into a single adverb, simplifying its usage in sentences. In German, adverbs of frequency like 'zweimal' typically follow the conjugated verb in a main clause, or they can be placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.

Ich war schon zweimal in Berlin.

This sentence demonstrates the standard placement. If you want to emphasize the frequency, you might say:

Zweimal habe ich dir das gesagt!

The flexibility of 'zweimal' makes it a versatile tool in your vocabulary arsenal. It is not just limited to past actions; it can be used with all tenses. For instance, you can use it to describe future intentions, such as planning to visit a place twice, or habitual actions, like brushing your teeth twice a day.

Habitual Usage: Used to describe routines, e.g., zweimal täglich (twice daily).

Past Occurrences: Used to count past events, e.g., ich habe es zweimal gesehen (I saw it twice).

Multiplication: Used in mathematical contexts, e.g., zweimal zwei ist vier (two times two is four).

Furthermore, 'zweimal' is often paired with prepositions to create specific temporal phrases. For example, 'zweimal pro Woche' (twice per week) or 'zweimal im Monat' (twice a month) are standard ways to express recurring schedules.

Er ruft zweimal am Tag an.

In colloquial speech, you might hear variations or emphasis placed on the word depending on the speaker's frustration or excitement. If someone has to repeat themselves, the word 'zweimal' carries the weight of their annoyance.

Ich frage nicht zweimal.

This phrase, 'I won't ask twice', is a stern warning in German just as it is in English. The cultural context of 'zweimal' also extends to proverbs and idioms. The famous saying 'Wer billig kauft, kauft zweimal' (He who buys cheap, buys twice) perfectly encapsulates the German appreciation for quality and durability over short-term savings.

Wir haben zweimal gewonnen.

In summary, mastering 'zweimal' opens up a significant portion of conversational German, allowing you to articulate frequency with precision and confidence.

Using 'zweimal' correctly in German sentences requires an understanding of German word order, specifically the placement of adverbs. Because 'zweimal' is an adverb of frequency, it generally follows the conjugated verb in a standard declarative sentence. However, German sentence structure is known for its flexibility, allowing speakers to move elements around to shift emphasis. When you place 'zweimal' at the very beginning of a sentence, it occupies the first position (Position 1), which means the conjugated verb must immediately follow it in the second position (Position 2), pushing the subject to the third position.

Zweimal bin ich nach München gefahren.

This inversion is a classic feature of German syntax and is used here to stress the fact that the action happened exactly twice, perhaps in contrast to someone who only went once.

Standard Order: Subject + Verb + Zweimal + Object/Other. Example: Ich esse zweimal Pizza.

Emphasized Order: Zweimal + Verb + Subject + Object/Other. Example: Zweimal esse ich Pizza.

With Modal Verbs: Subject + Modal + Zweimal + Infinitive. Example: Ich muss zweimal lesen.

When dealing with compound tenses, such as the Perfekt (present perfect), 'zweimal' typically sits between the auxiliary verb (haben or sein) and the past participle at the end of the sentence.

Wir haben den Film zweimal gesehen.

If there are other adverbs in the sentence, such as adverbs of time (wann?), manner (wie?), or place (wo?), German generally follows the 'Time, Manner, Place' (TeKaMoLo) rule. 'Zweimal' is considered an adverb of time/frequency, so it usually comes quite early in the sequence of adverbs.

Er geht heute zweimal schnell ins Geschäft.

Another common construction involves combining 'zweimal' with a preposition to denote a rate. For example, 'zweimal in der Woche' (twice a week) or 'zweimal am Tag' (twice a day). Notice the use of the dative case with the prepositions 'in' and 'an' (am = an dem) in these time expressions.

Nimm die Medizin zweimal täglich.

You can also use 'zweimal' as a standalone answer to a question. If someone asks, 'Wie oft warst du in Paris?' (How often have you been to Paris?), you can simply reply, 'Zweimal.' This makes it an incredibly efficient word for quick communication.

Ich habe es dir schon zweimal erklärt.

Understanding these structural nuances ensures that your German sounds natural and fluent, allowing you to express exact frequencies without hesitation.

The word 'zweimal' is ubiquitous in the German-speaking world, permeating almost every layer of daily life, from casual chats in a café to formal business meetings and medical consultations. Because expressing frequency is a universal need, you will hear 'zweimal' in a vast array of contexts. One of the most common places you will encounter this word is in the realm of healthcare and medicine. Doctors and pharmacists frequently use 'zweimal' when prescribing medication dosages.

Nehmen Sie diese Tabletten zweimal täglich nach dem Essen.

In this context, understanding the word is not just a matter of linguistic competence, but of personal health and safety. You will also hear it extensively in the context of sports and fitness. A personal trainer might instruct you to perform an exercise twice, or a sports commentator might note that a team has won a championship twice.

Medical Context: Dosage instructions, e.g., zweimal am Tag (twice a day).

Sports Context: Repetitions or victories, e.g., zweimal in Folge (twice in a row).

Service Industry: Ordering items, e.g., zweimal Pommes bitte (two orders of fries, please).

The service industry is another major domain for 'zweimal'. When ordering food or drinks at a restaurant or a fast-food stand, it is highly customary to use 'zweimal' to indicate two portions of the same item.

Ich hätte gern zweimal die Currywurst.

This is often faster and sounds more natural than saying 'zwei Portionen Currywurst'. In the workplace, 'zweimal' appears in scheduling and project management. You might have a meeting 'zweimal im Monat' (twice a month) or be asked to review a document twice to ensure there are no errors.

Wir treffen uns zweimal wöchentlich zum Update.

Furthermore, in everyday storytelling and conversation, people use 'zweimal' to emphasize the rarity or significance of an event. Saying you have met a famous person twice adds a layer of impressiveness to the anecdote.

Ich habe diesen Film schon zweimal im Kino gesehen.

It is also heavily featured in idioms and proverbs, reflecting cultural wisdom. As mentioned earlier, 'Wer billig kauft, kauft zweimal' is a staple of German consumer philosophy.

Man lebt nur einmal, aber wenn man es richtig macht, reicht zweimal nicht.

By listening for 'zweimal' in these diverse environments, you will quickly grasp its practical utility and cultural resonance in the German language.

While 'zweimal' is a relatively straightforward word, learners of German often make a few specific mistakes regarding its spelling, pronunciation, and grammatical integration. The most prevalent error by far is writing the word as two separate words: 'zwei mal'. In standard German orthography, when a cardinal number is combined with 'mal' to express frequency, it must be written as a single, solid compound word.

Falsch: Ich war zwei mal da. Richtig: Ich war zweimal da.

This rule applies to all numbers: einmal, dreimal, viermal, hundertmal, etc. Writing them separately is considered a spelling mistake, although you will occasionally see native speakers make this error in informal text messages.

Spelling Error: Writing 'zwei mal' instead of the correct compound 'zweimal'.

Capitalization: Capitalizing 'Zweimal' in the middle of a sentence. It is an adverb, not a noun, so it remains lowercase.

Confusion with Zweifach: Using 'zweimal' when the adjective 'zweifach' (double/twofold) is required to modify a noun.

Another common mistake involves confusing 'zweimal' with 'zweifach' or 'doppelt'. 'Zweimal' is strictly an adverb of frequency answering the question 'how often?'. If you want to say 'double the amount' or 'twofold', you should use 'doppelt' or 'zweifach'. For example, you cannot say 'ein zweimaler Espresso' to mean a double espresso; you must say 'ein doppelter Espresso'.

Er verdient das Doppelte, nicht das Zweimal.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the placement of 'zweimal' in sentences with multiple adverbs. As a rule of thumb, adverbs of time and frequency like 'zweimal' should precede adverbs of place.

Ich fahre zweimal nach Berlin. (Not: Ich fahre nach Berlin zweimal).

Putting the frequency at the very end of the sentence sounds unnatural in German, unlike in English where 'I go to Berlin twice' is perfectly normal. Furthermore, some learners try to pluralize 'zweimal' or add endings to it. Adverbs in German are invariable; they never change their form regardless of gender, case, or number. It is always 'zweimal', never 'zweimale' or 'zweimalen'.

Wir haben zweimal angerufen.

Finally, a subtle pronunciation mistake is placing the stress on the wrong syllable. The primary stress in 'zweimal' falls on the first syllable, 'zwei'. Pronouncing it with the stress on 'mal' sounds foreign to native ears.

ZWEI-mal, nicht zwei-MAL.

By avoiding these common pitfalls—writing it as one word, using it strictly as an adverb, placing it correctly in the sentence, keeping it invariable, and stressing the first syllable—you will use 'zweimal' flawlessly.

Expanding your vocabulary beyond 'zweimal' allows for more precise and varied expression in German. While 'zweimal' is the most direct translation for 'twice', several other words and phrases share similar semantic territory, each with its own specific nuance and grammatical function. The most closely related concepts are those dealing with multiplication and duplication. 'Doppelt' is a highly common alternative, functioning primarily as an adjective or an adverb meaning 'double' or 'doubly'.

Das kostet doppelt so viel.

You would use 'doppelt' when comparing quantities or emphasizing intensity, whereas 'zweimal' is strictly for counting occurrences. Another similar word is 'zweifach', which translates to 'twofold' or 'double'. It is often used in more formal or technical contexts to describe something that has two parts or aspects.

Doppelt: Means 'double'. Used for quantities and comparisons. Example: eine doppelte Portion (a double portion).

Zweifach: Means 'twofold'. Used for structures or formal descriptions. Example: in zweifacher Hinsicht (in two respects).

Noch einmal: Means 'once more' or 'again'. Used to request a repetition, bringing the total to two.

If you want to ask someone to do something a second time, you wouldn't typically say 'Mach das zweimal' (Do that twice) unless you want them to do it two times from scratch. Instead, you would say 'Mach das noch einmal' (Do that once more/again). This is a crucial distinction for learners.

Bitte sag das noch einmal.

For expressing frequency over time, alternatives to 'zweimal' include phrases like 'alle zwei Wochen' (every two weeks) or 'vierzehntägig' (fortnightly), which might be more precise than just saying 'zweimal im Monat' depending on the exact schedule.

Wir treffen uns alle zwei Tage.

In mathematical contexts, while 'zweimal zwei' is common, you might also hear 'zwei multipliziert mit zwei' in highly formal settings, though 'mal' is universally understood. Understanding the antonyms is also helpful. The opposite of 'zweimal' could be 'einmal' (once), 'niemals' (never), or 'oft' (often), depending on the context of the conversation.

Ich war niemals dort, nicht einmal, geschweige denn zweimal.

By mastering 'zweimal' alongside 'doppelt', 'zweifach', and 'noch einmal', you gain the ability to express numerical concepts, repetitions, and proportions with native-like accuracy and stylistic variety.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In older German texts, you might find it written as two words ('zwei Mal'), but the spelling reform solidified it as one word to distinguish it from phrases where 'Mal' is a distinct noun, like 'das erste Mal' (the first time).

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈtsvaɪ̯maːl/

US /ˈtsvaɪ̯maːl/

ZWEI-mal

Rime avec

einmal dreimal viermal manchmal jedesmal diesmal niemals oftmals

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'z' as an English 'z' (buzz) instead of 'ts'.
Pronouncing the 'w' as an English 'w' instead of a 'v'.
Pronouncing the 'ei' as 'ay' instead of 'eye'.
Placing the stress on the second syllable (zwei-MAL).
Making the 'a' in 'mal' too short; it should be a long 'ah' sound.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize and understand in text.

Écriture 2/5

Learners sometimes incorrectly write it as two words ('zwei mal').

Expression orale 1/5

Easy to pronounce, stress is on the first syllable.

Écoute 1/5

Clearly distinguishable in spoken German.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

zwei einmal das Mal oft nie

Apprends ensuite

dreimal manchmal mehrmals doppelt wieder

Avancé

zweifach verdoppeln wiederholt zweimalig abermals

Grammaire à connaître

Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs like 'zweimal' describe how often an action happens. They usually follow the verb. (Ich esse zweimal).

TeKaMoLo Rule

In a sentence with multiple adverbs, Time (zweimal) comes before Place (nach Berlin). (Ich fahre zweimal nach Berlin).

Compound Words

Numbers combined with 'mal' are always written as one word. (einmal, zweimal, dreimal).

Inversion for Emphasis

If 'zweimal' starts the sentence, the verb must come second. (Zweimal war ich dort).

Invariable Adverbs

Adverbs do not change their endings based on gender or case. It is always 'zweimal'.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Ich war zweimal in Berlin.

I was in Berlin twice.

Adverb placed after the verb.

Er isst zweimal am Tag.

He eats twice a day.

Used with a time expression.

Zweimal Kaffee, bitte.

Two coffees, please.

Common phrase for ordering.

Wir haben zweimal gewonnen.

We won twice.

Used with the Perfekt tense.

Ich lese das Buch zweimal.

I read the book twice.

Basic present tense usage.

Sie kommt zweimal pro Woche.

She comes twice per week.

Frequency expression.

Zweimal zwei ist vier.

Two times two is four.

Mathematical usage.

Ich frage nur zweimal.

I only ask twice.

Used for emphasis.

Ich habe den Film schon zweimal gesehen.

I have already seen the movie twice.

Placement before the past participle.

Man muss die Tabletten zweimal täglich nehmen.

One must take the pills twice daily.

Used with a modal verb.

Wir treffen uns zweimal im Monat.

We meet twice a month.

Dative case in time expression.

Zweimal bin ich zu spät gekommen.

Twice I arrived too late.

Inversion for emphasis.

Das ist jetzt schon zweimal passiert.

That has happened twice already now.

Used with 'schon' for emphasis.

Ich muss den Text zweimal lesen, um ihn zu verstehen.

I have to read the text twice to understand it.

Infinitive clause with 'um... zu'.

Sie hat zweimal angerufen, aber du warst nicht da.

She called twice, but you weren't there.

Compound sentence with 'aber'.

Er trainiert zweimal in der Woche im Fitnessstudio.

He trains twice a week in the gym.

TeKaMoLo rule applied.

Wer billig kauft, kauft zweimal.

He who buys cheap, buys twice.

Common German proverb.

Ich habe es dir zweimal erklärt, jetzt musst du es wissen.

I explained it to you twice, now you must know it.

Expressing frustration.

Die Kosten haben sich zweimal verdoppelt.

The costs have doubled twice.

Used with reflexive verbs.

Obwohl ich zweimal geklingelt habe, hat niemand geöffnet.

Although I rang twice, nobody opened.

Used in a subordinate clause with 'obwohl'.

Das Konzert wurde zweimal verschoben.

The concert was postponed twice.

Passive voice construction.

Ich überlege es mir zweimal, bevor ich zusage.

I will think twice before I agree.

Idiomatic expression 'sich etwas zweimal überlegen'.

Er hat den Marathon schon zweimal erfolgreich absolviert.

He has already successfully completed the marathon twice.

Complex sentence structure.

Zweimal im Jahr fahre ich in den Urlaub ans Meer.

Twice a year I go on vacation to the sea.

Adverbial phrase at the beginning.

Es ist ratsam, den Vertrag zweimal durchzulesen, bevor man ihn unterschreibt.

It is advisable to read through the contract twice before signing it.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Die Maschine ist innerhalb einer Woche zweimal ausgefallen.

The machine failed twice within one week.

Preposition 'innerhalb' with genitive/dative.

Zweimal hintereinander den Titel zu gewinnen, ist eine beachtliche Leistung.

Winning the title twice in a row is a remarkable achievement.

Infinitive phrase as the subject.

Ich musste zweimal hinschauen, um zu glauben, was ich sah.

I had to look twice to believe what I saw.

Idiomatic usage 'zweimal hinschauen'.

Der Antrag wurde zweimal abgelehnt, bevor er schließlich genehmigt wurde.

The application was rejected twice before it was finally approved.

Passive voice in past tense.

Er hat den Fehler zweimal begangen, was auf mangelnde Konzentration hindeutet.

He committed the error twice, which points to a lack of concentration.

Relative clause with 'was'.

Wir haben das Budget zweimal überarbeitet, um die Kosten zu senken.

We revised the budget twice to lower the costs.

Business context.

Selbst wenn du mich zweimal fragst, bleibt meine Antwort nein.

Even if you ask me twice, my answer remains no.

Conditional clause with 'selbst wenn'.

Dass er denselben Fauxpas zweimal begeht, zeugt von einer gewissen Ignoranz.

That he commits the same faux pas twice testifies to a certain ignorance.

Dass-clause as the subject.

Die Studie belegt, dass das Risiko bei dieser Vorgehensweise zweimal so hoch ist.

The study proves that the risk with this approach is twice as high.

Academic context, comparison.

Man kann nicht zweimal in denselben Fluss steigen, wie Heraklit treffend bemerkte.

One cannot step into the same river twice, as Heraclitus aptly noted.

Philosophical quote.

Die Regierung musste den Gesetzentwurf zweimal nachbessern, um eine Mehrheit zu finden.

The government had to amend the draft bill twice to find a majority.

Political context.

Ein solches Angebot bekommt man im Leben selten zweimal unterbreitet.

One is rarely presented with such an offer twice in life.

Sophisticated passive construction.

Zweimal tief durchatmen hilft oft, um in stressigen Situationen die Fassung zu bewahren.

Taking a deep breath twice often helps to keep one's composure in stressful situations.

Infinitive phrase used as a noun.

Die Investition hat sich nicht nur amortisiert, sondern den Einsatz zweimal wieder eingespielt.

The investment not only paid for itself but recouped the stake twice over.

Financial terminology.

Er ist ein Autor, dessen Werke man getrost zweimal lesen kann, um alle Nuancen zu erfassen.

He is an author whose works one can confidently read twice to grasp all nuances.

Relative clause with genitive.

Die Ironie des Schicksals wollte es, dass er exakt denselben Fehler zweimal beging, ungeachtet aller Warnungen.

The irony of fate would have it that he committed exactly the same mistake twice, regardless of all warnings.

Highly literary style.

Ein Kunstwerk von solch epochaler Bedeutung wird in einem Jahrhundert vielleicht zweimal geschaffen.

An artwork of such epochal significance is perhaps created twice in a century.

Passive voice in a philosophical context.

Die rhetorische Figur der Epizeuxis, bei der ein Wort zweimal unmittelbar hintereinander wiederholt wird, dient der starken Emphase.

The rhetorical figure of epizeuxis, where a word is repeated twice immediately in succession, serves for strong emphasis.

Linguistic analysis.

Es entbehrt nicht einer gewissen Komik, dass der selbsternannte Experte zweimal an der einfachsten Hürde scheiterte.

It is not without a certain comedy that the self-proclaimed expert failed twice at the simplest hurdle.

Complex sentence with 'es entbehrt nicht'.

Die vertraglichen Klauseln wurden zweimal juristisch geprüft, um jegliche Ambiguität im Vorfeld zu eliminieren.

The contractual clauses were legally reviewed twice to eliminate any ambiguity in advance.

Legal terminology.

Zweimal den Nobelpreis zu erhalten, ist ein Privileg, das nur einer verschwindend geringen Anzahl von Wissenschaftlern zuteilwurde.

Receiving the Nobel Prize twice is a privilege bestowed upon only a vanishingly small number of scientists.

Highly formal sentence structure.

In der Symphonie wird das Hauptmotiv zweimal in variierter Form rekapituliert, bevor die Coda einsetzt.

In the symphony, the main motif is recapitulated twice in varied form before the coda begins.

Musicology context.

Dass sich die Geschichte nicht zweimal auf dieselbe Weise wiederholt, ist eine Binsenweisheit, die dennoch oft ignoriert wird.

That history does not repeat itself twice in the same way is a truism that is nevertheless often ignored.

Abstract philosophical statement.

Collocations courantes

zweimal täglich

zweimal pro Woche

schon zweimal

mindestens zweimal

nur zweimal

zweimal im Jahr

zweimal hintereinander

zweimal überlegen

zweimal hinschauen

genau zweimal

Phrases Courantes

Zweimal, bitte.

— Two times, please. Often used when ordering two of the same item.

Zweimal Kaffee, bitte.

Ich sage es nicht zweimal.

— I won't say it twice. A warning to listen the first time.

Räum dein Zimmer auf. Ich sage es nicht zweimal.

Zweimal ist einmal zu viel.

— Twice is once too many. Used when a mistake shouldn't happen even once.

Diesen Fehler darfst du nicht machen. Zweimal ist einmal zu viel.

Das gibt es kein zweimal.

— That won't happen a second time. Expressing uniqueness or a firm boundary.

So eine Chance gibt es kein zweimal.

Zweimal so groß.

— Twice as big. Used for comparisons.

Mein neues Auto ist zweimal so groß.

Zweimal mehr.

— Twice as much/many. Used for quantities.

Er hat zweimal mehr Geld als ich.

Zweimal klingeln.

— Ring twice. A common instruction for deliveries or visits.

Bitte zweimal klingeln, die Klingel ist leise.

Zweimal die Woche.

— Twice a week. Colloquial alternative to 'zweimal pro Woche'.

Ich gehe zweimal die Woche schwimmen.

Bis zu zweimal.

— Up to twice. Setting a maximum limit.

Sie können den Test bis zu zweimal wiederholen.

Fast zweimal.

— Almost twice. An approximation.

Es dauerte fast zweimal so lange.

Souvent confondu avec

Zweimal vs zwei mal

This is simply a spelling error. It must be written as one word: zweimal.

Zweimal vs zweifach

Zweifach is an adjective meaning 'twofold' or 'double'. Zweimal is an adverb meaning 'twice'.

Zweimal vs doppelt

Doppelt means 'double'. Use doppelt for amounts (double the price), use zweimal for frequency (happened twice).

Expressions idiomatiques

"Wer billig kauft, kauft zweimal."

— He who buys cheap, buys twice. Meaning cheap goods break easily and need replacing.

Kauf dir gute Schuhe. Wer billig kauft, kauft zweimal.

neutral

"Einmal ist keinmal, zweimal ist eine Gewohnheit."

— Once is never, twice is a habit. Doing something twice establishes a pattern.

Pass auf mit dem Rauchen. Einmal ist keinmal, zweimal ist eine Gewohnheit.

informal

"Sich etwas zweimal überlegen."

— To think twice about something. To reconsider carefully.

Ich würde mir das an deiner Stelle zweimal überlegen.

neutral

"Zweimal hinschauen müssen."

— To have to do a double-take. Being surprised by what one sees.

Als er im Anzug kam, musste ich zweimal hinschauen.

informal

"Nicht zweimal bitten lassen."

— Not needing to be asked twice. Doing something eagerly and immediately.

Als es Kuchen gab, ließ er sich nicht zweimal bitten.

neutral

"Zweimal messen, einmal schneiden."

— Measure twice, cut once. Plan carefully before acting.

Bevor du das Holz sägst: Zweimal messen, einmal schneiden.

neutral

"Zweimal gebacken."

— Twice baked. Can refer to a type of bread (Zwieback) or metaphorically to something overly processed.

Das ist wie Zwieback, zweimal gebacken.

informal

"Auf beiden Schultern zweimal tragen."

— To carry a heavy burden. (Rare/Regional).

Er muss auf beiden Schultern zweimal tragen.

literary

"Zweimal drei macht vier."

— Two times three makes four. A reference to Pippi Longstocking's nonsensical song.

Zweimal drei macht vier, widdewiddewitt und drei macht neune.

child_friendly

"Lieber zweimal fragen als einmal falsch machen."

— Better to ask twice than do it wrong once.

Wenn du unsicher bist, frag mich. Lieber zweimal fragen als einmal falsch machen.

neutral

Facile à confondre

Zweimal vs einmal

Similar structure.

Einmal means once. Zweimal means twice.

Ich war einmal da, er war zweimal da.

Zweimal vs doppelt

Both relate to the concept of 'two'.

Doppelt is used for multiplication of size/amount. Zweimal is for counting events.

Er ist doppelt so alt. Er hat zweimal angerufen.

Zweimal vs beide

Both mean 'two'.

Beide means 'both' (referring to two specific things/people). Zweimal means 'twice' (frequency).

Beide Kinder sind hier. Ich habe zweimal gerufen.

Zweimal vs zweite

Similar root word.

Zweite means 'second' (ordinal number). Zweimal means 'twice'.

Das ist das zweite Mal. Ich war zweimal da.

Zweimal vs zweitens

Similar root word.

Zweitens means 'secondly' (used for listing). Zweimal means 'twice'.

Erstens ist es spät, zweitens bin ich müde.

Structures de phrases

Subject + Verb + zweimal.

Ich gewinne zweimal.

Zweimal + [Item], bitte.

Zweimal Kaffee, bitte.

Subject + Verb + zweimal + [Time].

Ich laufe zweimal wöchentlich.

Zweimal + Verb + Subject + [Other].

Zweimal war ich in Rom.

Subject + haben/sein + [Object] + zweimal + Partizip II.

Ich habe ihn zweimal gesehen.

Subject + Modalverb + [Object] + zweimal + Infinitive.

Du musst das zweimal lesen.

Obwohl + Subject + [Object] + zweimal + Partizip II + haben/sein, ...

Obwohl ich es zweimal gesagt habe, ...

Sich etwas zweimal überlegen, bevor man ...

Man sollte sich das zweimal überlegen, bevor man kündigt.

Famille de mots

Adjectifs

zweifach

doppelt

Apparenté

zwei

das Mal

zweimalig

verdoppeln

doppelt

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high. It is one of the most common adverbs in the German language.

Erreurs courantes

Ich war zwei mal in Berlin. → Ich war zweimal in Berlin.
Writing 'zwei mal' as two words is a spelling error. It must be a single compound word.
Ich möchte einen zweimalen Espresso. → Ich möchte einen doppelten Espresso.
You cannot use 'zweimal' as an adjective for amounts. Use 'doppelt' (double) instead.
Ich fahre nach Berlin zweimal. → Ich fahre zweimal nach Berlin.
Adverbs of frequency usually come before adverbs of place in German (TeKaMoLo rule).
Zweimal ich habe angerufen. → Zweimal habe ich angerufen.
If you put 'zweimal' at the beginning of the sentence, the verb must come exactly second (inversion).
Er ist der zweimal Sieger. → Er ist der zweimalige Sieger.
To use it as an adjective modifying a noun, you must use the form 'zweimalig' and add the correct ending.

Astuces

One Word Rule

Always write numbers with 'mal' as one word. Einmal, zweimal, dreimal. Never separate them.

No Endings

Remember that adverbs don't change. Don't try to add -e, -er, or -en to zweimal.

Ordering Food

Sound like a native by ordering 'Zweimal [Food]' instead of 'Zwei Portionen [Food]'.

Stress the First Syllable

Always put the vocal emphasis on ZWEI, not on mal. ZWEI-mal.

Zweimal vs. Doppelt

Use zweimal for counting actions (I jumped twice). Use doppelt for multiplying amounts (double cheese).

Buy Cheap, Buy Twice

Impress Germans by using the phrase 'Wer billig kauft, kauft zweimal' when discussing shopping.

Sentence Position

Put zweimal early in the sentence, especially before locations. 'Ich fahre zweimal nach Berlin'.

Train Announcements

Listen for 'zweimal' at train stations; it might mean your train is arriving in two sections.

Prescriptions

If a doctor says 'zweimal täglich', it means you must take the medicine twice a day.

Fronting for Emphasis

Put zweimal at the very beginning of your sentence if you are annoyed you have to repeat something.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine TWO (zwei) people at the MALL (mal) buying the exact same thing TWICE.

Association visuelle

Visualize a giant number '2' stamping a document twice. The sound of the stamp goes 'zwei-mal, zwei-mal'.

Word Web

zwei Mal einmal dreimal doppelt Häufigkeit oft zählen

Défi

For one whole day, try to notice everything you do exactly twice. Say 'zweimal' out loud each time it happens (e.g., brushing your teeth, drinking coffee).

Origine du mot

The word 'zweimal' originates from Middle High German 'zwei mal' and Old High German 'zwei māl'. It is a straightforward compound of the number 'zwei' (two) and the noun 'Mal' (time, point in time, occurrence). Over centuries of use, the two words fused together into a single adverb. This fusion is a common feature in Germanic languages for expressing frequency.

Sens originel : Literally 'two times' or 'two occurrences'.

Indo-European > Germanic > West Germanic > High German

Contexte culturel

No particular cultural sensitivities. It is a neutral, everyday word.

English speakers often say 'two times' or 'twice'. German strictly uses 'zweimal' for both, making it simpler.

Pippi Langstrumpf's song: 'Zweimal drei macht vier' (Pippi Longstocking) The movie title 'Wenn der Postmann zweimal klingelt' (The Postman Always Rings Twice) The German proverb 'Wer billig kauft, kauft zweimal'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Medical/Health

zweimal täglich
zweimal am Tag
zweimal wöchentlich
zweimal einnehmen

Ordering Food

zweimal Kaffee
zweimal Pommes
zweimal die Nummer 5
zweimal bitte

Sports/Games

zweimal gewonnen
zweimal würfeln
zweimal hintereinander
zweimal Foul

Warnings/Instructions

nicht zweimal sagen
zweimal überlegen
zweimal hinschauen
zweimal prüfen

Travel/Experiences

schon zweimal da
zweimal geflogen
zweimal besucht
zweimal gesehen

Amorces de conversation

"Warst du schon mal in Berlin? Ich war schon zweimal dort."

"Wie oft gehst du ins Fitnessstudio? Ich versuche, zweimal pro Woche zu gehen."

"Hast du den neuen Film gesehen? Ja, sogar schon zweimal!"

"Wie oft trinkst du Kaffee am Tag? Meistens zweimal, morgens und nachmittags."

"Musstest du die Fahrprüfung zweimal machen oder hast du sie beim ersten Mal bestanden?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über einen Ort, den du genau zweimal besucht hast. Warum bist du zurückgekehrt?

Welche Gewohnheit machst du zweimal am Tag? Beschreibe sie.

Gibt es einen Fehler, den du zweimal gemacht hast? Was hast du daraus gelernt?

Beschreibe ein Buch oder einen Film, das/den du zweimal gelesen/gesehen hast.

Was würdest du tun, wenn du dein Gehalt zweimal im Monat bekommen würdest?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is always written as one single word: 'zweimal'. Writing it as 'zwei mal' is a common spelling mistake. This rule applies to all numbers combined with 'mal' (einmal, dreimal, etc.).

Yes, absolutely. It is very common and natural to say 'Zweimal Pommes, bitte' (Two orders of fries, please) in a restaurant or fast-food stand. It is faster than saying 'zwei Portionen'.

'Zweimal' means 'twice' (frequency of an action). 'Doppelt' means 'double' (amount, size, or intensity). You call someone 'zweimal' (twice), but a coffee can be 'doppelt so teuer' (double the price).

You can say 'zweimal pro Woche', 'zweimal in der Woche', or colloquially 'zweimal die Woche'. All are correct and widely understood.

No. 'Zweimal' is an adverb, and German adverbs are invariable. They never change their endings to match gender, case, or number. It is always 'zweimal'.

Usually, it goes after the conjugated verb (Ich esse zweimal). If you want to emphasize it, you can put it at the beginning (Zweimal esse ich). If there are other adverbs, it usually comes before adverbs of place.

It is a famous German proverb meaning 'He who buys cheap, buys twice'. It implies that cheap things break easily, forcing you to buy a replacement, so it's better to buy quality the first time.

No. If you need an adjective form, you must use 'zweimalig' (e.g., ein zweimaliger Sieger - a two-time winner). 'Zweimal' itself cannot take adjective endings.

Pronounce the 'z' like 'ts' in 'cats', the 'w' like 'v', and the 'ei' like 'eye'. The stress is on the first syllable: TSVYE-mahl.

It is completely neutral. You can use it in the most casual conversations with friends or in the most formal business or legal documents.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes