Word Frequency (Worthäufigkeit) #109
Word (Wort)

erst

Translation (Übersetzung) first, only, just
Pronunciation (Aussprache) [eːɐst]
A1
Adverbs
Beginner
Neutral
Tags (Tags)
grammar most-common adverb time sequence
Adverb meaning 'first', 'only', or 'just'. Used to indicate sequence, limitation, or recent time. One hundred and ninth most frequent word in German.

erst - German Adverbs - erst Meaning - erst Translation - erst Adverbs Examples

erst is a German Adverbs

Learn erst meaning, translation, pronunciation, and usage examples. erst is classified as an Adverb in German grammar.

erst Examples (Beispiele) in English

erst examples with English translations. See how to use erst in sentences. erst example sentences in English below.

Erst einmal muss ich lernen.
First of all, I must study.
sequence
Erst dann kann ich gehen.
Only then can I go.
temporal limitation
Erst jetzt verstehe ich es.
Only now do I understand it.
recent time
Erst gestern kam er.
He came only yesterday.
recent past
Erst wenn du fertig bist.
Only when you're finished.
condition
Erst mal warten wir.
First, let's wait.
sequence
Erst recht jetzt.
All the more now.
emphasis
Nicht erst heute.
Not even today.
negation

erst — common mistakes (English)

Learner-focused corrections for erst — typical errors vs. correct German, with short explanations.

  • erst (confusing with 'zuerst')
    erst (first/only/just) vs. zuerst (first, at first - more emphasis on sequence)
    'Erst' can mean 'first', 'only', or 'just', while 'zuerst' specifically means 'first' or 'at first' with emphasis on sequence
  • erst (confusing with 'nur')
    erst (only/just - often with time) vs. nur (only - general limitation)
    'Erst' often means 'only' in temporal contexts, 'nur' means 'only' in general: 'erst jetzt' (only now) vs. 'nur ein' (only one)
  • erst (position in sentence)
    erst (usually before time expressions or verbs: 'erst jetzt', 'erst dann')
    'Erst' usually comes before time expressions or in specific phrases: 'erst jetzt' (only now), 'erst dann' (only then)

erst Word Family - erst Related Words - erst Family Members

erst Word Family (Wortfamilie)

erst word family includes related words, derivatives, and word forms. Learn erst family members with meanings, translations, and usage. Explore erst related words and expand your German vocabulary.

Related Adverb (Verwandtes Adverb)
zuerst
Meaning: first, at first
Usage: first, at first (when 'erst' means first in sequence)
Example: Zuerst lerne ich.
Adverb
nur
Meaning: only, just
Usage: only, just (when 'erst' means only/just)
Example: Nur ein Buch
Adverb
gerade
Meaning: just, right now
Usage: just, right now (when 'erst' refers to recent time)
Example: Gerade jetzt
Adverb
Compound Form (Verbindungsform)
erst einmal
Meaning: first of all, first
Usage: first of all, first (compound form)
Example: Erst einmal muss ich lernen.
Adverb
erst dann
Meaning: only then, not until then
Usage: only then, not until then (compound form)
Example: Erst dann kann ich gehen.
Adverb
erst recht
Meaning: all the more, even more so
Usage: all the more, even more so (compound form)
Example: Erst recht jetzt.
Adverb
erst mal
Meaning: first, for now
Usage: first, for now (compound form)
Example: Erst mal warten wir.
Adverb
Opposite Adverb (Gegenteiliges Adverb)
schon
Meaning: already
Usage: already (opposite - already vs. only/just)
Example: Schon fertig
Adverb
später
Meaning: later
Usage: later (opposite - later vs. first)
Example: Später komme ich.
Adverb
danach
Meaning: afterwards, then
Usage: afterwards, then (opposite - after vs. first)
Example: Danach gehe ich.
Adverb
zuletzt
Meaning: last, finally
Usage: last, finally (opposite - last vs. first)
Example: Zuletzt kam er.
Adverb
Related Adjective (Verwandtes Adjektiv)
erste
Meaning: first
Usage: first (adjective form, related meaning)
Example: Die erste Person
Adjective
erster
Meaning: first (masculine)
Usage: first (masculine adjective form, related meaning)
Example: Der erste Tag
Adjective

erst Usage - erst Collocations - erst Idioms - erst Synonyms - erst Antonyms

erst Usage & Related Words (Verwendung & verwandte Wörter)

Learn how to use erst in context. Discover erst collocations (common word combinations), idioms, synonyms, and antonyms. Master erst usage patterns and expand your German vocabulary with related words.

erst Collocations (Kollokationen)

erst collocations are common word combinations that native speakers use. Learn erst word combinations and how to use erst with other words naturally.

erst einmal
first of all, first
High frequency
erst dann
only then, not until then
High frequency
erst jetzt
only now, just now
High frequency
erst später
only later, not until later
High frequency
erst gestern
only yesterday, just yesterday
High frequency
erst heute
only today, just today
High frequency
erst morgen
only tomorrow, not until tomorrow
High frequency
erst wenn
only when, not until
High frequency
erst nach
only after, not until after
High frequency
erst seit
only since, just since
High frequency
nicht erst
not even, not until
High frequency
erst recht
all the more, even more so
High frequency
erst mal
first, for now
High frequency
erst einmal
first of all, first
High frequency
erst seit kurzem
only recently, just recently
Medium frequency

erst Idioms (Redewendungen)

erst idioms and expressions. Learn German idioms containing erst with meanings and explanations. Master erst expressions used in everyday German.

erst einmal
first of all, first
Expressing that something should be done first
erst dann
only then, not until then
Expressing that something happens only after another event
erst recht
all the more, even more so
Emphasizing that something is even more true or applicable
erst mal
first, for now
Expressing that something should be done first or for the time being
erst wenn
only when, not until
Expressing a condition that must be met first
nicht erst
not even, not until
Expressing that something hasn't even happened yet
erst jetzt
only now, just now
Expressing that something is happening only now
erst gestern
only yesterday, just yesterday
Expressing recent past time
erst seit
only since, just since
Expressing a starting point in time
erst nach
only after, not until after
Expressing that something happens only after another event

erst Synonyms (Synonyme)

erst synonyms - words with similar meanings. Find alternative words for erst and expand your German vocabulary. Learn erst similar words and their usage.

zuerst
Meaning: first, at first
High similarity
nur
Meaning: only, just
High similarity
gerade
Meaning: just, right now
Medium similarity
vorher
Meaning: before, previously
Low similarity
später
Meaning: later
Low similarity

erst Antonyms (Antonyme)

erst antonyms - opposite words. Learn words with opposite meanings to erst. Discover erst opposite words and expand your German vocabulary.

schon
Meaning: already
später
Meaning: later
danach
Meaning: afterwards, then
zuletzt
Meaning: last, finally

erst Semantically Related Words - erst Contextually Related Words - erst Thematically Related Words

erst Semantically Related Words (Semantisch verwandte Wörter)

erst semantically related words - words that are conceptually or thematically related to erst. Explore erst related vocabulary and discover words in the same semantic field. Learn erst contextually related words to expand your German vocabulary.

zuerst nur gerade schon später danach zuletzt erste erster erst einmal erst dann erst recht erst mal Adverb

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