eerst

Eerst is a Dutch adverb used to indicate the first position in a sequence or the initial moment in a process. It answers questions about order and time, such as what happens first or what should be done prior to something else. In everyday use, it often introduces the first step of an instruction or plan.

Usage and nuances: In statements or imperatives, erst sets the sequence. Examples include: “Eerst ga ik naar de winkel, daarna naar huis.” and “Eerst dit, dan dat.” The word commonly appears in compounds and set phrases such as “allereerst” (first of all) or “ten eerste” (firstly). The adverb contrasts with woorden like eerder or vroeger, which specifically denote earlier times rather than order in a current plan.

Etymology and related forms: Eerst is a native Dutch form with cognates in other Germanic languages, notably the German erst, with a similar sense of “first” or “initial.” The related adjective form in Dutch is eerste, meaning “first” when describing a noun, while eerst remains the general adverb for sequencing. Other related words include eerder (earlier) and allereerst (most notably, first of all).

Examples and usage notes: Because eerst emphasizes the order of actions, it is common in instructions, explanations, and narratives. It can appear at the start of a sentence or within it, often preceding a conjunction or a following clause: “Eerst doe je dit, dan doe je dat.” It is typically not used to denote mere past time; for that sense, eerder or vroeger are preferred.