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.
first / for now
Zunächst and anfänglich can describe a reaction at the beginning. Zunächst presents it more as the first step in a further development. Anfänglich refers specifically to the early phase and is especially suitable when a state lasted for a while.
Nina war anfänglich skeptisch, doch nach einigen Tagen überzeugte sie der Vorschlag.
Nina was initially skeptical, but after a few days the proposal convinced her.
Zunächst war Nina skeptisch, dann prüfte sie den Vorschlag genauer.
At first, Nina was skeptical, but then she examined the proposal more closely.
