erst

Based on: eh
Goethe A2 Adjective
  1. first
  2. only, just
1.

first

(In a sense of "before doing B I have to do A".)
Examples
  • Erst koche ich, dann esse ich.
  • First I cook, then I eat.
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop
2.

only, just

Opposite: schon
(In the sense of "not much yet and there's room for more". In that sense it's the direct opposite of "schon". )
Examples
  • Ich habe erst zwei Bier getrunken.
  • I've only had two beers (so far).
  • Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop

Word Family

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Sources for Etymology:

My Articles

The Meaning and Use of “erst”

'erst' means 'first', but that's only half the story. It's also a specific type of "only". Today, we'll explore which 'only' and how to use 'erst' as 'first'.

Vocab: erst, erste, erstes, erst mal, erst vs schon

Read article →

Time in German 6 – Coordinating Actions

We'll learn how to properly arrange actions (clauses) in time using the German words for before, after and while. Also: difference between nachdem and danach and others

Vocab: bevor, vorher, danach, nachdem, während

Read article →

The Guide to “schon” – Meanings and Usage

"schon" is the German translation for "already" but it's actually broader than that. And it's also a particle that's kind of the direct opposite of "nicht".

Vocab: schon, schon wieder, schon mal

Read article →

“only” in German – erst, nur, einzige

'Only' has three translations in German - nur, erst and einzig-. Today, we'll explore what the differences are between them and see when to use which one.

Vocab: erst, nur, einzige, einzigste

Read article →

“erst” or “nur” – The Learning Quiz

Mixing up "nur" and "erst" is a common mistake because they both mean "only", but they're not the same. Today, we'll learn the difference through a quiz.

Vocab: erst vs nur

Read article →

Questions and Comments

Do you have questions about the usage or meaning of “erst”? Just ask here and I’ll try to clear it up.

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5 Comments
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xv
xv

“Es wird dringend geraten, Wertgegenstände gar nicht erst zum Sport mitzubringen”

This seems to be a different sense of erst than the senses you have here?

Emanuel
Admin
Emanuel
Reply to  xv

Nice one!

“gar nicht erst” is kind of a fixed phrase that’s used in contexts of “not even having to start”. The idea is that if you don’t bring your valuables in the first (ahem… erst) place, you then won’t have to worry about what to do with them or if the lockers are safe or whatever.

xv
xv

erst can mean “as recently as” right?

xv
xv
Reply to  Emanuel

yep thanks

How many meanings does the German word 'erst' have?

erst has 2 distinct meanings: 1. first, 2. only, just.

What is 'erst' related to?

The word 'erst' is related to eh.

Where can I learn more about 'erst'?

Here are some articles where you can learn more about 'erst':

The Meaning and Use of “erst”
'erst' means 'first', but that's only half the story. It's also a specific type of "only". Today, we'll explore which 'only' and how to use 'erst' as 'first'.
Vocab: erst, erste, erstes, erst mal, erst vs schon
Read article

Time in German 6 – Coordinating Actions
We'll learn how to properly arrange actions (clauses) in time using the German words for before, after and while. Also: difference between nachdem and danach and others
Vocab: bevor, vorher, danach, nachdem, während
Read article

The Guide to “schon” – Meanings and Usage
"schon" is the German translation for "already" but it's actually broader than that. And it's also a particle that's kind of the direct opposite of "nicht".
Vocab: schon, schon wieder, schon mal
Read article

“only” in German – erst, nur, einzige
'Only' has three translations in German - nur, erst and einzig-. Today, we'll explore what the differences are between them and see when to use which one.
Vocab: erst, nur, einzige, einzigste
Read article

“erst” or “nur” – The Learning Quiz
Mixing up "nur" and "erst" is a common mistake because they both mean "only", but they're not the same. Today, we'll learn the difference through a quiz.
Vocab: erst vs nur
Read article