initial
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initial / initially
Taking place at the beginning or at the start; referring to the first phase of something. Can be used as an adjective or adverb.
Meine anfängliche Begeisterung ließ schnell nach, als die Arbeit schwieriger wurde.
My initial enthusiasm quickly faded when the work became more difficult.
The adjective 'anfänglich' (initial) is derived directly from the noun 'der Anfang' (the beginning). It describes something that belongs to the beginning or happens at the beginning.
Der anfängliche Plan musste später geändert werden.
The initial plan had to be changed later.
'Anfänglich' can stand before a noun as an adjective and is then declined. It can also be used as an adverb, often at the beginning of a sentence; then it remains unchanged and the word order changes (verb in position 2).
Die anfänglichen Probleme waren schnell gelöst.
The initial problems were solved quickly.
'Anfänglich' often describes abstract nouns that express a development or feeling. Typical combinations are 'anfängliche Schwierigkeiten' (initial difficulties), 'anfängliche Begeisterung' (initial enthusiasm), or 'anfängliche Zweifel' (initial doubts).
Trotz anfänglicher Schwierigkeiten hat sie das Projekt erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
Despite initial difficulties, she successfully completed the project.
actually / really
'eigentlich' and 'anfänglich' can both have something to do with the beginning. 'anfänglich' describes the first phase of something: what it was like at the beginning. 'eigentlich' more often describes the original plan or the actual intention, especially when something different happens later. The words can be confused when talking about earlier plans. 'anfänglich' fits better for a development over time, while 'eigentlich' fits the plan or meaning behind something.
Anfänglich war das Training sehr leicht, später wurde es deutlich anstrengender.
Initially, the training was very easy; later it became much more demanding.
Eigentlich wollten wir zu Hause lernen, aber dann sind wir in die Bibliothek gegangen.
Originally, we wanted to study at home, but then we went to the library.