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einst

/aɪ̯nst/· adverb

once, formerly; one day (in the future)

Einst — a long time ago (einst stand hier eine Burg), and in literary German also one day in the future.

CEFR C1Frequency ●●●●●
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One word, many lives

Tap a meaning. Real German isn't a dictionary translation.

einst
once, formerly

Hier stand einst eine Burg.

A castle once stood here.

Word family

einsteinmalonceeinstigformereinstmalsonce, long ago

Common combinations

  • einst und jetztthen and now
  • wie einstas once
  • die einst mächtige …the once powerful …

Real examples

  • Die einst reiche Stadt ist heute arm.The once rich city is poor today.
  • Wo heute Büros sind, war einst ein Hafen.Where there are offices today there was once a harbour.
  • Der Platz war einst das Zentrum der Altstadt.The square was once the centre of the old town.

Related words