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How to Say ‘For the first time’ in German

Zum ersten Mal

tsoom AIR-sten mahl

[tsoom AIR-sten mahl]

💬 Usage Tip: zum is a squashed zu dem. Swap the number for zum zweiten Mal "for the second time".

Phrase Breakdown

Zum

[tsoom]

to the

Indicating direction toward a place.

Example

Wir gehen zum Park.

We are going to the park.

ersten

[AIR-sten]

first

Form of 'erste' after 'am', used to say on which date something happens.

Example

Wir fahren am ersten Juli in Urlaub.

We go on holiday on the first of July.

Mal

[mahl]

time (occasion)

Noun meaning an occurrence or instance, as in 'first time' or 'three times'.

Example

Das war das letzte Mal.

That was the last time.

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.

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