anfänglich

Anfänglich is a German word that functions as both an adverb and an adjective. As an adverb, it means “at first,” “initially,” or “in the beginning phase,” used to describe the early period of a process or situation. As an adjective, it means “initial” or “relating to the beginning,” used to describe nouns in connection with the start of something. Examples: Adverb – “Anfänglich war das System langsam” (Initially the system was slow). Adjective – “Die anfängliche Schwierigkeit war groß” (The initial difficulty was great).

Etymology and form: Anfänglich is built from the noun Anfang (beginning) plus the suffix -lich, producing the sense of belonging to or characteristic of the beginning. The word belongs to the Neuhochdeutsche period and is attested in formal and technical usage. It is related to other start-related terms such as Anfang, anfangs, and zu Beginn.

Usage and style: In contemporary German, anfänglich is common in formal, academic, and technical contexts. It often contrasts with later development or outcomes, as in describing a phase that precedes change or progression. Everyday speech more frequently employs synonyms such as zunächst or zu Beginn. When used as an adjective, its inflected forms follow standard adjective declension (e.g., anfängliche Schwierigkeiten, die anfängliche Phase).

Variations and related terms: Anfänglich should be distinguished from anfangs, which also means “at first” but functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. Related concepts include Anfang (beginning), Anfangszeit (early period), and zu Beginn (at the outset). See also: Anfang, Anfangs, zunächst.

In summary, anfänglich denotes the early or initial stage of a process and is versatile in formal German, with usage that emphasizes the start before later developments.