Anfangs

Anfangs is a German adverb meaning “at the beginning” or “initially.” It is used to indicate the early phase of a process, event, or narrative and is often contrasted with later developments. The form is derived from the noun Anfang (beginning) and functions as a time marker in discourse. In contemporary usage, Anfangs is common in written and formal contexts; in everyday speech speakers often prefer phrases such as am Anfang or von Anfang an to express the same idea.

Grammatical notes: Anfangs is invariable and does not inflect. It can appear at the start of a sentence or within it: “Anfangs war ich unsicher; später wurde es besser.” It sets a temporal frame for what follows and can introduce a contrast with subsequent events.

Usage and nuance: The expression emphasizes the initial stage and is well suited for outlining sequences, histories, or arguments. For broader usage, speakers may opt for the fixed collocation von Anfang an, meaning “from the very beginning,” which carries a stronger sense of continuity from the outset. The related adjective/adverb anfänglich (initial, at first) can modify nouns or verbs and tends to appear in slightly different stylistic contexts.

See also: Anfang, Anfangsphase, Am Anfang, Von Anfang an. These terms situate Anfangs within the broader set of expressions for time and sequence in German.