# einmal ist keinmal

einmal ist keinmal is a German proverb meaning “Once doesn’t count”.

## Meanings

1. Once doesn’t count; one swallow does not a summer make
   - Mein Mann macht wirklich Fortschritte: Letztens hat er von selber den Abwasch gemacht! — Pah... Einmal ist keinmal. — My husband is really making some progress. A while ago, he decided all by himself to do the dishes! — Pfft... One time. Big deal!
2. One slip is allowed; everyone deserves a second chance
   - Solches Verhalten werden wir an dieser Schule nicht dulden! Aber... ich sage mal: Einmal ist keinmal. — We will not tolerate such behaviour at this school! But... let me say: As long as it doesn’t happen again, we’ll forget about it.
3. One time won’t hurt; just try it
   - Die Sarah will mit mir zu so’ner nervigen Autorenlesung. — Tu’s halt ihr zuliebe. Einmal ist keinmal. — Sarah wants me to go to this annoying book reading with her. — Well, so do it for her sake. This one time won’t be so bad.

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Sources: Meanings and forms from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0); example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).
URL: https://wordwide.space/de-en/wort/einmal%20ist%20keinmal