German word

zumal

Pronunciation

IPA/tsuˈmaːl/

Meaning

  • conjunctionespecially because

Example

Ich bleibe zu Hause, zumal meine Kinder krank sind.

I'm staying home, especially because my children are sick.

Illustration for zumal (especially because)

More examples

Das ist schwierig, zumal wenn viele Aufgaben anfallen.

That is difficult, especially when many tasks arise.

Core concept

A main decision receives an extra push from a particularly weighty reason.

Common phrases

  • zumal da

    especially since

  • zumal weil

    especially because

  • zumal wenn

    especially when

Similar words

weil: Introduces a clause giving the cause or reason for what was just stated.
denn: Appends a straightforward reason without greatly altering the sentence flow.
da: Presents background circumstances as a reason, commonly at the start of a sentence.

Definition in German

Einen besonders relevanten Grund einführt und eine vorausgesetzte Tatsache hervorhebt; bedeutet oft ‚da‘ oder ‚weil‘.

Word origin

Zumal developed from Middle High German ze mâle, meaning 'on that occasion', from zu plus mal 'time' or 'occasion'; its modern causal use grew from this older situational sense.

Usage tips

  • Zumal is more common in formal or written German than in casual speech, where weil or da often sounds more natural.

Other meanings

  • particularlyconjunction
  • given thatconjunction

Opposites

Word lists with this word