Questions about example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "First"

A: If I swing at fewer pitches. If I allow more pitches to go past me.

In baseball, the batter must use strategy and quick thinking to decide when to swing the bat. Sometimes it is better not to swing at all, because the pitch might be a "ball" (a pitch outside the strike zone) or just a pitch that is hard to hit well.

A: The person is saying this is the first of something they have had and it's also going to be the last; for example:
"First and only girlfriend" This is their first girlfriend and they plan on staying with her forever, so they will never have another girlfriend.

A: "The first one out of an undetermined number, but no more than 20."

For instance, you have plans to visit 20 temples while in Kyoto but you don't know if you'll have time to see them all. So the first temple you visit is "the first of up to 20."

A: from the beginning

A: first of all, は 「はじめに、」と言う意味で、in the first placeはそもそもと言う意味です。　英語は似ていますが、日本語の意味は全然違います。😊

A: I just ate natto for the first time.
（初めて納豆を食べたところです。）

I'm going to go skiing this weekend for the first time.
（今週末は初めてスキーをします。）

I opened my phone's "d払い" app today for the first time in years.
（今日何年か振りにスマホの「d払い」アプリをひらきました。）

A: “We have some big problems to take care of here. We need to start somewhere, but FIRST THINGS FIRST… “

A: First/then is used in a sequence.
For example:
First, brush your teeth, then, comb your hair

*Don't confuse THEN with THAN! 😊

A: "First and foremost, I do not condone running in the house"
"First and foremost, safety is our number one priority"
"First and foremost, I want to clarify some data"

"First and foremost" is usually used to introduce a topic that is the number one priority. :)

A: It was hard at first.

I didn't like him at first.

A: "For the first time" simply means the first time something happens/you do something. It is a neutral expression. For example "I drank wine for the first time last Christmas."

"At first" is often used as a contrast with later. For example "At first I hated my new school, but after a while I got used to it and started making friends."

A: Some example sentences:
"At first, I was unsure about the day of the week; then I realized it was Tuesday." (This is using it like a lead-in into another statement, in this case it conveys initial confusion before the speaker realizes it's Tuesday)

"Beginning on Friday, I will try my best to be on time for work."

"Besides, you won't have any money for food if you lose your job." (This is kind of like drawing a comparison, stating an affirmative response or adding to a previous statement, in this case 'A' is telling 'B' that they will lose their job and mentions that they will not be able to make a car loan payment. 'B' then states that 'A' might want to be more worried about losing the ability to feed themselves rather than the loan payment)

"Firstly it's wrong, and secondly it will be impossible to do." (Used to introduce a first point or reason)

A: "At first" is talking about how something was before something changed it.

Example: At first I didn't really like school, but then I made friends.

"First thing first" is what we say when we have a few things to do or say, but one thing is more important than the others.

Example: I know you want to know about your grade on the test, but first thing first, I need to teach you today's lesson.

A: At first is like 最初に in English. The only difference is is that “at first” kind of implies that the following statement will contradict with the statement that directly follows “at first”.
For example, “at first, my boyfriend was a really nice guy, but then he turned out to be a real jerk”. Notice how the boyfriend being a nice guy and being a jerk contradict each other. In this situation you would use “at first”

Firstly would just be まず。

A: At first =for telling a story or saying what happened.

To begin with =for giving explanations.

A: Check the question to view the answer

A: Check the question to view the answer

A: Check the question to view the answer

A: Check the question to view the answer

A: This is how I was say it:


First of all, I don’t know how to express my gratitude.
My family first came to the United States in the summer of 2017, I was very worried with how she would face the new environment and the difficult language. But despite the worry, she met a great teacher and great friends, and she got used to it.
You took so much care of her and taught her kindly. Now she’s spending her days happily. Thank you very much for all that you taught her. As she grows older I hope she will be warm like you.
You’re the best teacher she has ever had. Thank you very much.

A: Check the question to view the answer

A: sounds good!

tips: work on pronouncing "the", and maybe "words", as well

...it all sounds pretty natural, it's just a matter of a slight accent on those two 👌👏

A: Check the question to view the answer

A: I’m so happy to hear from you! It sounds like a lot has happened to you. Don’t worry, everything will work out for you. I believe you will do well no matter what happens. I’m so sorry to hear about the relationship between you and your dad. I hope the two of you can work it out.