mal eben

just quickly, real quick

adverb mal AY-ben Rare

Also means

just for a second

Usage Note

Mal eben combines two colloquial particles (mal = somewhat casual 'just', eben = 'just / right now') to suggest that something is quick or easy. It is very informal and frequently heard in requests: Kannst du mal eben schauen?

Examples

"Kannst du das mal eben für mich prüfen?"

Natural Translation

Can you just quickly check that for me?

Literal Translation

Can you that once just for me check?

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

How to Tell Time in German Without Mistakes

Halb sieben means 6:30, not 7:30. Master telling time in German — Viertel nach, halb, vor, the 24-hour clock, and the prepositions that trip up beginners.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

German Adjective Endings Made Simple

German adjective endings come down to one question, not three tables: does the article already show gender and case? If yes, the adjective stays lazy.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Cases Explained Simply (4 Cases)

German has four cases, and each answers one question: wer, wen, wem, wessen. Learn nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive without drowning in charts.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

Du vs. Sie: When to Use Each in German

Use Sie with strangers, elders, and at work; use du with friends, family, kids, and peers. Here's how to pick the right German you every time.

June 5, 2026 6 min read