noun
time (instance), occasion
B1
Mal is a neuter noun meaning 'time' (instance) and 'occasion'. Article das, plural Male. Common in expressions like 'zum ersten Mal' (for the first time). Note genitive singular des Mals and dative plural den Malen; plural Male is used for multiple occurrences; genitive singular is irregular.
Examples
Als das letzte Mal starker Regen fiel, blieben die Züge stehen, weshalb die Reisenden lange warten mussten.
When it last rained heavily, the trains stopped, which is why the travelers had to wait a long time.
Bei diesem Mal war alles viel einfacher.
On this occasion, everything was much easier.
Dieses Mal werde ich es besser machen.
This time I will do it better.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a tally mark for each 'Mal' (one tick per time).
Sounds like English 'mall' but think short 'mal' = one occurrence.
Remember 'das Mal' — treat 'Mal' as a neutral unit or instance.
Notes
'Mal' is very common in spoken German to indicate instances or occurrences (e.g., 'einmal', 'noch mal').