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alle — meaning in English: all
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any
helfen
alle
daß
sagen
ob
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native speakers use 'alle' in various contexts, such as discussing groups or categories. For instance, you might hear it in a classroom setting when a teacher says, 'Alle Schüler müssen ihre Hausaufgaben abgeben' (All students must submit their homework). It's also common in everyday conversations, like when friends decide that 'alle zusammen' (everyone together) should meet for dinner.
Synonyms & nuances
'Alle' is often compared to 'gesamt', which means 'total' or 'entire'. While 'alle' encompasses people or things, 'gesamt' more often refers to quantities or sums. For example, you would use 'alle' when referring to all the participants in a game, but 'gesamt' when calculating the total score.
Culture
'Alle' has roots in the Old High German word 'alla', which means 'all' or 'whole'. This term reflects a sense of inclusivity and unity in German culture. Interestingly, 'alle' is often used in idiomatic expressions, such as 'Alle guten Dinge sind drei,' which translates to 'All good things come in threes,' suggesting that completeness often comes in sets.
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