Word
erst
/əːst/
adverb
从前；往昔
at a previous time; formerly
- 1.
at a previous time
在早先时候
在早先时候；以前；往昔的
In use
He was erst a respected professor at the university.
The castle, erst the home of a noble family, now lies in ruins.
She was erst known as a brilliant pianist before her injury.
erst + past tense verb
“erst”为文学用语，现代英语常用“formerly”。
He erst worked as a teacher.
他以前当过老师。
erst + past participle/noun phrase
“erst”常置于名词前，表示过去的身份或状态。
The city, erst a small village, is now a metropolis.
这座曾是小镇的城市现在成了大都市。
Common mistakes
In the erst, people used horses.In the past, people used horses.
Erst是副词，不能用作名词。应使用名词短语‘the past’。
Take the erst step.Take the first step.
Erst意为‘以前’，而‘first’意为‘第一’。此处需要序数词，应使用‘first’。
Connections
Learner notes
Grammar Note
意为'以前'，多用于诗歌或古语
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.