Meaning 1neutral · 82%
Not before a stated time or until a stated step has occurred.
Natural examples
Der Zug fährt erst um halb zehn.
The train does not leave until half past nine.
Erst nach dem Gespräch verstand ich den Vorschlag.
I understood the proposal only after the conversation.
Die Lieferung kommt erst am Freitag an.
The delivery will not arrive until Friday.
Usage note
As a time adverb, erst often comes before a time phrase and stresses that something happens later than expected.
Mini-lesson: erst
Not before a stated time or until a stated step has occurred. As a time adverb, erst often comes before a time phrase and stresses that something happens later than expected.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «erst»?