Inklingo

How to Say "first" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “first” is “primer” — use 'primer' directly before a masculine singular noun when it means 'first' in a sequence or as an ordinal number..

primer🔊A1

Use 'primer' directly before a masculine singular noun when it means 'first' in a sequence or as an ordinal number.

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primero🔊A1

Use 'primero' as an ordinal number when it stands alone or modifies a feminine noun (as 'primera') or when it functions as an adverb meaning 'first' or 'to begin with'.

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antes🔊A1

Use 'antes' as an adverb meaning 'before' in time or order, or 'previously'. It indicates something happened earlier.

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original🔊A2

Use 'original' when referring to the initial or earliest version of something, meaning 'original' rather than a copy or later edition.

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primos🔊B2

Use 'primos' (or 'primo'/'prima'/'primas') to refer to fundamental or basic elements, most commonly seen in mathematics with 'prime numbers'.

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English → Spanish

primer

/pree-MEHR//pɾiˈmeɾ/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'primer' directly before a masculine singular noun when it means 'first' in a sequence or as an ordinal number.
A bright red toy race car clearly winning a race, crossing a finish line ribbon ahead of two other cars.

Examples

Es mi primer día en la oficina.

It's my first day at the office.

Hoy es mi primer día de clases.

Today is my first day of classes.

El primer paso es siempre el más difícil.

The first step is always the hardest.

Ganó el primer premio en el concurso.

He won the first prize in the contest.

The Short Form of 'Primero'

'Primer' is a special, shortened version of the word 'primero' (first). You only use this short form when it comes directly before a masculine noun, like 'el primer coche' (the first car).

Using 'Primer' vs. 'Primero'

Mistake: “Es mi primero año aquí.”

Correction: Es mi primer año aquí. Remember to drop the '-o' from 'primero' when it's placed right before a masculine noun like 'año'.

Using with Feminine Nouns

Mistake: “Fue la primer vez que viajé sola.”

Correction: Fue la primera vez que viajé sola. For feminine nouns like 'vez', you must use the full form 'primera'. 'Primer' is only for masculine nouns.

primero

/pree-MEH-roh//pɾiˈme.ɾo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'primero' as an ordinal number when it stands alone or modifies a feminine noun (as 'primera') or when it functions as an adverb meaning 'first' or 'to begin with'.
An athlete winning a race, clearly in the first position ahead of other blurred competitors.

Examples

Primero, vamos a cenar y luego vamos al cine.

First, we're going to have dinner, and then we're going to the movies.

Es mi primer día en la oficina.

It's my first day at the office.

La primera casa a la derecha es la mía.

The first house on the right is mine.

Llegaron en los primeros lugares de la carrera.

They arrived in the first places of the race.

The Special 'O' Drop Rule

When 'primero' comes right before a masculine word (like 'día' or 'año'), it shortens to 'primer'. Think of it as making room for the word that follows! For example, you say 'el primer día', not 'el primero día'.

Matching the Noun

Like most Spanish adjectives, this word changes to match the thing it describes. Use 'primera' for feminine things ('la primera vez' - the first time) and add an '-s' for plural things ('los primeros pasos' - the first steps).

Always Stays the Same

When you use 'primero' to mean 'firstly' or to start a sequence of events, it never changes. It's always 'primero', no matter who is doing the action.

Forgetting to Shorten It

Mistake: “Fui a España por el primero vez.”

Correction: Fui a España por primera vez. 'Vez' is a feminine word, so you need 'primera'. If it were a masculine word like 'viaje' (trip), you would say 'mi primer viaje' (shortening 'primero' to 'primer').

Using 'Primero' Instead of 'Primer'

Mistake: “Es mi primero coche.”

Correction: Es mi primer coche. Because 'coche' is a masculine word that comes right after it, 'primero' drops the '-o' and becomes 'primer'.

antes

/ahn-tess//ˈantes/

adverbA1general
Use 'antes' as an adverb meaning 'before' in time or order, or 'previously'. It indicates something happened earlier.
A timeline showing one event happening before another, indicating the past.

Examples

Yo vivía en Madrid antes.

I lived in Madrid before.

Antes, los teléfonos no tenían internet.

Previously, phones didn't have internet.

Piénsalo bien antes.

Think about it well first.

Stands on its Own

You can use 'antes' all by itself at the end of a sentence to mean 'before now' or 'in the past.' For example, 'No lo había visto antes' (I hadn't seen it before).

original

oh-ree-hee-NAL/oɾixiˈnal/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'original' when referring to the initial or earliest version of something, meaning 'original' rather than a copy or later edition.
A solitary, perfectly formed blue star drawn on a clean white surface, symbolizing the first or earliest form.

Examples

Necesitas presentar tu pasaporte original para el trámite.

You need to present your original passport for the process.

La versión original de esta canción es la mejor.

The original version of this song is the best.

El plan original era ir a la playa, pero llovió.

The initial plan was to go to the beach, but it rained.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'original' ends in -l, it stays the same whether the noun is masculine (el documento original) or feminine (la versión original).

primos

PREE-mos/ˈpɾimos/

adjectiveB2technical
Use 'primos' (or 'primo'/'prima'/'primas') to refer to fundamental or basic elements, most commonly seen in mathematics with 'prime numbers'.
A single, perfectly smooth, solid red block standing alone next to a tall structure built entirely out of many small, identical blue blocks, illustrating the concept of a fundamental, indivisible unit.

Examples

Los números primos solo son divisibles por uno y por sí mismos.

Prime numbers are only divisible by one and by themselves.

Analizamos los factores primos del polinomio.

We analyzed the prime factors of the polynomial.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'primos' must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes, such as 'números' (masculine plural).

Primer vs. Primero

The most common mistake is confusing 'primer' and 'primero'. Remember that 'primer' is used *only* before masculine singular nouns (like 'primer día'), while 'primero' is used as an adverb ('first, we do this') or when the noun is implied or feminine ('la primera vez').

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