At first Meaning in English
expression
ˈæt/ /ˈfɝst
AT FIRST
ˈæt/ /fˈɜːst
AT FURST
Definition
Used to talk about what happened at the beginning of a situation or process, before things changed or developed.
Usage & Nuances
'At first' focuses on the initial period or impression, often implying that things changed later. Commonly used at the start of sentences. Do not confuse with 'first' (sequence), 'first of all' (before other things).
Spanish: al principio - al comienzoPortuguese (BR): a princípio - inicialmentePortuguese (PT): ao início - inicialmenteChinese (Simplified): 起初 - 一开始Chinese (Traditional): 一開始 - 起初Hindi: शुरुआत में - पहलेArabic: في البداية - أولاBengali: শুরুতে - প্রথমেRussian: сначала - поначалуJapanese: 最初はVietnamese: lúc đầu - ban đầuKorean: 처음에는Turkish: ilk başta - başlangıçtaUrdu: شروع میںIndonesian: pada awalnya - awalnya
Example Sentences
At first, I did not understand the lesson.
basic
At first, the baby cried a lot.
basic
At first, it was difficult to find a job.
basic
I didn't like coffee at first, but now I love it.
natural
Things seemed confusing at first, but they got easier over time.
natural
You might feel nervous at first when starting a new job.
natural