zunächst

Meaning

  1. first, first of all, in the first place, to begin with, initially
  2. for now, for the time being
  3. next, then, secondly (immediately following the first thing)

Synonyms

Frequency

B2
Hyphenated as
zu‧nächst
Pronounced as (IPA)
/tsuˈnɛːçst/
Etymology

From Middle High German ze næhste (“close, directly next”). Equivalent to zu + nächst. The sense “first” developed because from the perspective of the start the next thing to do is the first thing.

Bookmark this

Improve your pronunciation

German

Start learning German with learnfeliz.

Practice speaking and memorizing "zunächst" and many other words and sentences in German.

Go to our German course page

Notes

Sign in to write sticky notes