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How to Say ‘For the first time’ in German

Zum ersten Mal

tsoom AIR-sten mahl

[tsoom AIR-sten mahl]

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

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