früher

== German == === Etymology === Comparative of früh (“early”), which see. === Pronunciation === === Adjective === früher comparative degree of früh: earlier Synonym: eher === Adjective === früher (strong nominative masculine singular früherer, not comparable) former, erstwhile, previous (that which once was, but no longer is) Synonyms: ehemalig, einstig, vormalig der frühere Präsident ― the former president ==== Declension ==== ==== See also ==== vorherig (“previous, immediately preceding”) === Adverb === früher comparative degree of früh Synonyms: eher, zeitiger formerly, in the past (often years ago, in contrast to nowadays) Synonym: einst Antonym: heute ==== Usage notes ==== Früher is often used in sentences where English uses the used to construction. When this refers to states or conditions, rather than repeated actions, mal can be added or used instead. I used to walk to school. ― Früher bin ich zu Fuß zur Schule gelaufen. I used to be in love with him. ― Ich war früher / mal / früher mal in ihn verliebt. In turn, früher is not used in the sense of "earlier" as a sentence adverb relative to the present, as in "I saw him earlier (today)." German instead uses vorhin or simply absolute temporal adverbials for this. I saw him earlier. (a little while ago) ― Ich habe ihn vorhin gesehen. I saw him earlier this week. ― Ich habe ihn diese Woche gesehen. === References === “früher” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache