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zuerst

first

adverb tsu-AYRST Less Common
Time Time Expressions

Also means

at first

Usage Note

zuerst means 'first' in sequence or 'at first' before a change of mind, as in zuerst dachte ich... ('at first I thought...'). It contrasts with erst, which stresses 'not until' or 'only just'. The natural follow-up is dann ('then') or zuletzt ('lastly').

Examples

"Zuerst essen wir, dann gehen wir."

Natural Translation

First we eat, then we go.

Literal Translation

First eat we, then go we.

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