eerste

Eerste is a Dutch word meaning first. It functions as the ordinal form used to denote the initial item in a sequence, as in phrases like de eerste dag (the first day) or de eerste keer (the first time). In everyday language it is common in both spoken and written Dutch, appearing in general statements, time expressions, and descriptions of order.

In formal and institutional contexts, the term frequently appears in fixed expressions and titles. A well-known example is de Eerste Kamer, the upper house of the Dutch parliament, which translates to the First Chamber. The word can also appear as a component in compound proper names, often signaling primacy or a position at the beginning of a series.

Dutch and Flemish usage of Erste extends to place-naming practices where the word signals a preliminary or primary designation within an area or locality. As a result, listeners and readers may encounter the term across official documents, legal texts, parliamentary records, and geographical names.

In summary, erste is a basic Dutch term used to express ranking as “the first” and appears across everyday language and formal Dutch discourse, including government institutions and some geographic or historical identifiers.