adverb
only, not until
A2
Erst is a temporal adverb meaning 'only' or 'not until', expressing that something happens later than expected or is limited. Use it to mark timing: e.g. 'Ich bin erst um zehn aufgestanden' = 'I didn't get up until ten'. It often emphasizes delay or restriction.
Examples
Der Film fängt erst um neun an.
The film doesn't start until nine.
Die Gäste kamen erst nach zehn Uhr, obwohl die Veranstaltung um acht begonnen hatte.
The guests arrived only after ten o'clock, although the event had started at eight.
Ich habe erst drei Euro, ich kann nichts kaufen.
I only have three euros, I can't buy anything.
Details
Mnemonics
A clock showing that something hasn't happened yet.
Sounds like English 'first' — think 'erst' often relates to time order.
Notes
'Erst' can mean 'only' in quantity contexts and 'not until' in time contexts.