📅

How to Say ‘For today’ in German

Heute erst mal

hoin-te ayrst mahl

[hoin-te ayrst mahl]

💬 Usage Tip: erst mal means "for now, to start with", implying more will come later. You'll often hear it in plans: erst mal abwarten "let's wait and see for now".

Phrase Breakdown

Heute

[hoin-te]

today

On this present day.

Example

Heute zieh' ich zum letzten Mal um.

Today I am moving for the last time.

erst

[ayrst]

first; for now

Shows that this is the first thing to do.

Example

Komm erst mal rein, dann reden wir.

First come in, then we'll talk.

mal

[mahl]

go on / a bit

A common modal particle that makes the request sound casual and friendly.

Example

Erzähl mal, wie die Idee aussieht.

Go on, tell me what the idea looks like.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”

Emma L., 27, UX Researcher

“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”

Marcus J., 40, Engineer

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer