मतलब
Bad things often happen in a series or conjunction with other bad things.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
Reflects a cultural tendency toward 'Realismus' (realism). Germans often prefer to acknowledge a bad situation directly rather than sugar-coating it. In Austria, this might be said with a bit more 'Raunzen' (complaining/whining), which is a local cultural pastime of finding the negative in things. The Swiss use it similarly, but often with a focus on 'Ordnung' (order). A series of misfortunes is seen as a disruption of the expected orderly flow of life. The proverb is a staple in German 'Märchen' (fairy tales) by the Brothers Grimm, where characters often face a cascade of trials.
Use it for empathy
It's a great way to show a German friend that you understand their frustration without needing a long explanation.
Don't overdo the sarcasm
If someone is genuinely upset, saying this with a smile can be seen as mocking their pain.
मतलब
Bad things often happen in a series or conjunction with other bad things.
Use it for empathy
It's a great way to show a German friend that you understand their frustration without needing a long explanation.
Don't overdo the sarcasm
If someone is genuinely upset, saying this with a smile can be seen as mocking their pain.
The 'Malheur' switch
If the mishaps are just clumsy little things, use 'Ein Malheur kommt selten allein' to sound more sophisticated and lighthearted.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
Ein Unglück kommt ______ allein.
The standard proverb uses 'selten' (seldom).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Situation: You win the lottery and get a promotion.
The proverb is only for bad events (Unglück).
Choose the correct article and gender for the subject.
______ Unglück kommt selten allein.
'Unglück' is a neuter noun and the proverb uses the indefinite article.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Mein Handy ist kaputt und ich habe meinen Schlüssel verloren. B: Oh nein! ____
This is the natural sympathetic response to a series of bad events.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासEin Unglück kommt ______ allein.
The standard proverb uses 'selten' (seldom).
Situation: You win the lottery and get a promotion.
The proverb is only for bad events (Unglück).
______ Unglück kommt selten allein.
'Unglück' is a neuter noun and the proverb uses the indefinite article.
A: Mein Handy ist kaputt und ich habe meinen Schlüssel verloren. B: Oh nein! ____
This is the natural sympathetic response to a series of bad events.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
4 सवालYes, though often ironically or in a self-deprecating way on social media.
No, for good things use 'Ein Glück kommt selten allein' (though this is much less common) or 'Aller guten Dinge sind drei'.
'Unglück' is more serious (misfortune/accident), while 'Pech' is more about bad luck in daily life. However, in this proverb, 'Unglück' covers both.
In the proverb, it is always 'allein'. In normal conversation, 'alleine' is more common.
संबंधित मुहावरे
Pechsträhne
similarA streak of bad luck.
Vom Regen in die Traufe kommen
builds onTo go from the rain into the eaves (from bad to worse).
Aller guten Dinge sind drei
contrastAll good things come in threes.
Schlimmer geht nimmer
similarIt can't get any worse.
