12

When do we use the word mal after a verb? Does it change the meaning?
For example: what is the difference between the following sentences.

Guck mal. Frag mal.
Guck. Frag.

Improve this question
1

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
17

The addition of the word 'mal' does not directly change the meaning in this context. It does, however, change the underlying tone of the statement.

A sentence like

Frag mal dort nach.

makes your statement more of a proposition while

Frag dort nach.

sounds more like a direct instruction.

This is the reason why the configuration Verb+'mal' is more used in an informal context. For example, if a student asks another a question during classes, he would answer:

Weiß nicht. Frag mal den Lehrer.

Without the 'mal' this would sound distant and maybe a bit annoyed.

In contrast, the word 'mal' is usually avoided in very formal situations where you tend to distance yourself from the converstational partner for politeness:

Für weitere Informationen fragen Sie Herrn XY.

So in conclusion if you speak with a friend or someone you know well, always use the 'mal'. If you want to be polite (for example in official correspondence), try to avoid it as much as possible.

Improve this answer
7
  • Is "frag mal dort nach" the same as "du solltest dort nachfragen"?
    – Denis
    Jul 8, 2016 at 8:24
  • @Deni Basically. It is somewhat more colloquial, however.
    – Chieron
    Jul 8, 2016 at 8:26
  • @Chieron But it is closer to "du solltest..." than to "frag dort nach", right?
    – Denis
    Jul 8, 2016 at 8:30
  • 1
    @Deni Yes. solltest strongly implies a suggestion (more so than the mal-construction), the imperative an order or annoyance. mal tends to be seen as an abbreviation of einmal (see Hubert's answer, which is wrong in this case), and thus more informal.
    – Chieron
    Jul 8, 2016 at 8:36
  • Actually I feel it the opposite: "Solltest" is in my view a very decisive suggestion ("it is really a good idea to do that") while "mal" I think is more an idea suggestion ("it might be a good idea to do that"). So unless I misunderstood your English (quite possible), I'd say "mal" more strongly implies a suggestion than "solltest".
    – celtschk
    Jul 11, 2016 at 7:39
1

"Guck" and "frag" are imperative forms of their respective verbs. That is to say that they are commands.

The term "mal" is a "softener" in this context. When placed behind commands like "guck" and "frag" as "guck mal," and "frag mal," it turns those commands into suggestions.

The effect of "mal" is more or less the opposite of "doch" (the latter is used for emphasis, the former for de emphasis.)

Improve this answer
3
  • 2
    So "guck doch mal" is an oxymoron? ;-)
    – celtschk
    Jul 11, 2016 at 7:43
  • @celtschk :I'd say so.
    – Tom Au
    Jul 11, 2016 at 7:55
  • I think the combination 'doch mal' expresses something that might be spelt out in English as 'for once (mal), why don't you (doch)'. Not that easy to nail down to one single meaning, these modal particles.
    – user22484
    Jul 11, 2016 at 17:56

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.