erstens

Erstens is a German adverb meaning "firstly" or "in the first place." It is used to introduce the first item in a sequence of points, arguments, or steps, especially in formal writing and speeches.

The form derives from erst, meaning "first" or "previous," with the suffix -ens to create an adverbial ordinal. It appears in Old High German and Middle High German texts and has remained productive in modern standard German.

Erstens is typically used to structure arguments or explanations. It is commonly paired with Zweitens and Drittens in enumerations. In everyday speech, alternatives such as zunächst or zuerst may be preferred, as they carry a slightly less formal tone.

Examples: Erstens muss das Budget geprüft werden. Zweitens erfordert die Implementierung zusätzliche Ressourcen.