firstly
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firstly
Used to introduce the first point in an enumeration, list, or argument. It is often used in combination with 'zweitens' (secondly), 'drittens' (thirdly), etc.
Ich kann heute nicht kommen: Erstens bin ich krank und zweitens habe ich viel zu tun.
I can't come today: firstly, I'm sick, and secondly, I have a lot to do.
'Erstens' belongs to a series of adverbs derived from ordinal numbers. The pattern is 'ordinal number + -ens' and continues with 'zweitens' (secondly), 'drittens' (thirdly), 'viertens' (fourthly), and so on.
Es gibt drei Gründe: erstens das Wetter, zweitens die Kosten und drittens die weite Anreise.
There are three reasons: firstly the weather, secondly the costs, and thirdly the long journey.
When 'erstens' is at the beginning of the sentence (position 1), the conjugated verb follows directly after it (position 2). A comma after 'erstens' is wrong in this case.
Erstens müssen wir einen Plan machen.
Firstly, we need to make a plan.
'Erstens' is used to structure arguments or reasons clearly. It is often followed by 'zweitens' (secondly), but sometimes only 'erstens' is used to name the most important argument.
Warum ich nicht mitkomme? Erstens habe ich keine Lust.
Why am I not coming along? Firstly, I don't feel like it.
only / not until / first
'erst' and 'erstens' look similar, and both can have to do with a beginning. However, they are used differently. 'erst' shows a sequence of actions: one thing happens first, then another. 'erstens' introduces the first point in a list or argument. It is often followed by 'zweitens' (secondly). You can confuse them when you want to name a first step or a first point. For actions, use 'erst'; for arguments or lists, use 'erstens'.
Erstens ist das Wetter schlecht, und zweitens haben wir heute keine Zeit.
Firstly, the weather is bad, and secondly, we don't have time today.
Auf der Feier räumt Hannes erst die Gläser weg und spricht danach mit den Gästen.
At the party, Hannes first clears away the glasses and then talks to the guests.