All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| erst | only so far; not until; first | progress, age or timing | uninflected adverb/particle |
| nur | only; merely | restriction to one option or amount | uninflected restricting particle/adverb |
erst
Meaning and usage: Erst can describe a relatively early stage: a child is erst drei, or you have read erst two chapters. It often invites an expectation of a later stage or larger amount, but it does not guarantee that more will happen. With time, erst am Freitag can mean not until Friday. It also means first in sequences.
Grammar: Uninflected. Its meaning depends on the phrase it modifies: erst zwei Kapitel, erst morgen, erst lesen. Normal main-clause verb order stays intact: Erst morgen beginnt der Kurs. The entire time phrase occupies the first position.
Ich habe erst zwei Kapitel gelesen; morgen lese ich weiter.
I have read only two chapters so far; I will continue tomorrow.
nur
Meaning and usage: Nur expresses restriction: no additional person, amount or option is included in what is stated. It does not inherently put the information on a timeline. Nur can also contribute other conversational meanings in requests and questions; the restrictive use is the focus here.
Grammar: Uninflected. Placement helps determine its scope: Nur Anna kommt restricts the person; Anna kommt nur am Freitag restricts the day. Normal main-clause word order applies. It does not assign a noun case.
Ich kann nur am Freitag zum Kurs kommen.
I can come to the course only on Friday.
Overlap and context
Erst am Freitag beginnt der Kurs concerns how late the course starts: not earlier than Friday. Der Kurs findet nur am Freitag statt restricts it to that day. With quantities, the contrast is often a matter of perspective, not different arithmetic: erst zwei and nur zwei both state two. Erst can frame two as an early stage; nur can frame two as a limited amount. Nur does not prohibit doing more later unless the context says so. Learn the expected progression along with the number.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate every English “only” as nur without checking timing or progress.
- Avoid teaching erst as “time” and nur as “quantity”: erst can modify quantities too.
- Do not claim nur always means the amount can never increase. That requires context.
Memory aid: Erst looks at a stage or earliest time. Nur draws a boundary around what is included. Both can refer to the same number.
Try it
Which expresses “not until tomorrow”? Der Kurs beginnt ___ morgen.
Show the answer
erst
Erst morgen excludes an earlier start; nur morgen would restrict it to tomorrow.