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dapprima

at first

adverb dahp-PREE-mah Rare
Time Time Expressions

Origin: Contraction of da + prima (from + first), a fixed adverbial phrase.

Also means

initially

Usage Note

Dapprima is a formal or literary alternative to all'inizio or prima. It typically appears at the start of a clause and signals a later contrast: dapprima esitò, poi accettò ('at first she hesitated, then she accepted'). It is written as one word.

Examples

"Dapprima non capivo nulla."

Natural Translation

At first I understood nothing.

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