schon mal

Based on: schon
Phrase
  1. already, before
  2. ever, at some point
  3. already, "go ahead"
1.

already, before

(focus is not on the repetition but on the fact that it's familiar)
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Examples
  • Das hab' ich schon mal gehört.
  • I have heard that before.
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop
2.

ever, at some point

Opposite: noch nie
(in questions, very similar to just "mal" but with a little more "excitement" or "impatience")
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Examples
  • "Warst du schon mal in Paris?""Ja, war ich schon mal."
  • "Have you ever been to Paris?""Yes, I've been there before/once/already" (I don't know which one is best).
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop
3.

already, "go ahead"

(In a sense of doing something already while someone else is still "waiting". Has a very casual and inviting tone.)
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Examples
  • Ich hatte schon mal aufgeräumt, bevor du nach Hause gekommen bist.
  • I had already cleaned up before you got home.

Word Family

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Sources for Etymology:

My Articles

The Guide to “schon” – Meanings and Usage

"schon" is the German translation for "already" but it's actually broader than that. And it's also a particle that's kind of the direct opposite of "nicht".

Vocab: schon, schon wieder, schon mal

Read article →

The Particle “mal” Explained

Sometimes mal means “at some point.” Sometimes it just makes a sentence sound more casual. Today, we'll learn how Germans use it in various ways.

Vocab: mal, noch mal, nicht mal, erstmal, gerade mal, schon mal

Read article →

Questions and Comments

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How many meanings does the German word 'schon mal' have?

schon mal has 3 distinct meanings: 1. already, before, 2. ever, at some point , 3. already, "go ahead".

What is 'schon mal' related to?

The word 'schon mal' is related to schon.

Where can I learn more about 'schon mal'?

Here are some articles where you can learn more about 'schon mal':

The Guide to “schon” – Meanings and Usage
"schon" is the German translation for "already" but it's actually broader than that. And it's also a particle that's kind of the direct opposite of "nicht".
Vocab: schon, schon wieder, schon mal
Read article

The Particle “mal” Explained
Sometimes mal means “at some point.” Sometimes it just makes a sentence sound more casual. Today, we'll learn how Germans use it in various ways.
Vocab: mal, noch mal, nicht mal, erstmal, gerade mal, schon mal
Read article