inizialmente

Inizialmente is an Italian adverb meaning “in the beginning” or “at first.” It is used to indicate the initial phase of a process, situation, or sequence and often helps set a contrast with what happened later.

Etymology: The word derives from the adjective iniziale (initial) plus the adverbial suffix -mente, forming an adverb that describes time or manner. The root iniziale comes from Latin initialis, from initium, meaning beginning.

Usage: Inizialmente is common in both spoken and written Italian and serves to introduce statements about the outset before a later development. It can establish a baseline or frame a transition, and it is often followed by a clause that contrasts with subsequent events. In many contexts it can be replaced by all'inizio or all'inizio dei fatti, with a nuance shift rather than a change in meaning.

Examples: “Inizialmente volevo partire per Parigi, ma ho cambiato idea.” “Inizialmente i dati indicavano una crescita, ma successivamente la situazione è cambiata.” These illustrate marking the starting point and signaling a change.

Synonyms and related terms: all'inizio; iniziale (adjective) and its related forms; iniziare (to begin) as a related verb.

See also: Inizio (noun), iniziale (adjective), iniziare (to begin).