When learning how to say firstly in French, students often discover that the direct translation isn't always the most natural choice. Even so, in French, the concept of "firstly" can be expressed through several distinct adverbs and phrases, each carrying its own nuance of time, sequence, and formality. The phrase you select depends heavily on whether you're speaking formally, writing an essay, or simply ordering ideas in a casual conversation. Mastering these options not only improves your grammatical accuracy but also makes your French sound more native and fluid.
The Most Direct Translation: Premièrement
The most literal way to say "firstly" in French is premierement. That's why Premièrement is perfectly correct and widely understood, particularly in written French, such as essays, formal speeches, or structured arguments. This adverb is formed from the ordinal number premier (first) and the suffix -ement, which creates adverbs similar to adding "-ly" in English. It signals a clear beginning to a list of points, much like "firstly" does in English.
Even so, premierement can feel slightly stiff or overly formal in everyday speech. French speakers more frequently opt for alternatives that fit the rhythm of natural dialogue. Pronunciation follows standard French rules: preh-myer-mahn. When using premierement, it's common to follow it with deuxièmement, troisièmement, and so on, creating a numbered sequence that is easy for listeners to follow. This structure is especially useful in presentations, where clarity and organization are essential No workaround needed..
The Most Natural Spoken Alternative: D'abord
In spoken French, d'abord is by far the most
In spoken French, d'abord is by far the most common and versatile way to say "firstly" or "first of all." A contraction of de (from) and abord (approach/start), it literally translates to "at first" or "from the start." Unlike premierement, which signals a rigid structural point in a list, d'abord functions fluidly as a conversational pivot. In real terms, you will hear it used to introduce the first item in a casual list ("D'abord, on mange, après on part"), to prioritize an action ("D'abord, calme-toi"), or simply to buy thinking time at the start of a sentence. Its register is neutral enough for a business lunch yet relaxed enough for a chat with friends, making it the undisputed workhorse of spoken sequencing.
The Polished Middle Ground: Tout d'abord
Sitting comfortably between the formality of premierement and the casualness of d'abord is tout d'abord (literally "all at first" or "right at the start"). Still, this phrase adds a layer of emphasis and polish that d'abord alone sometimes lacks. It is the standard choice for professional emails, cover letters, and structured oral presentations where premierement might feel too academic but d'abord feels too brief. Tout d'abord effectively frames the opening point as a distinct, important stage before moving to the next. Take this: "Tout d'abord, je tiens à vous remercier" (First of all, I want to thank you) sounds gracious and professional, setting a respectful tone for what follows That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Written Precision: En premier lieu and En première lieu
For strictly written contexts—academic dissertations, legal texts, administrative reports, or high-level journalism—en premier lieu (in the first place) is the gold standard. Note the spelling: lieu (place) takes an s in the plural (lieux), but here it is singular because it refers to the single "first place" in the sequence. It pairs formally with en second lieu, en troisième lieu, and en dernier lieu (in the last place). This phrase is almost exclusively written; using it in conversation would sound conspicuously bookish. A close variant, à titre premier, appears occasionally in legal or administrative French to denote primary responsibility or jurisdiction, but en premier lieu remains the general standard for logical sequencing in formal prose.
Action-Oriented Openings: Pour commencer and Pour débuter
When the "first" step involves a concrete action rather than an abstract argument, pour commencer (to start/begin with) and pour débuter (to begin with) are excellent choices. They are ideal for giving instructions, narrating a process, or suggesting a plan. Which means these prepositional phrases shift the focus from enumeration to initiation. . Pour débuter carries a slightly more formal or literary tone than pour commencer, often appearing in the opening lines of novels or formal speeches ("Pour débuter cette cérémonie..."Pour commencer, préchauffez le four à 180 degrés" (To start, preheat the oven to 180 degrees) sounds far more natural than Premièrement, préchauffez..."), but both are widely interchangeable in practical usage.
Emphasizing Priority: Avant tout and Avant toute chose
Sometimes "firstly" implies not sequence, but priority—meaning "above all" or "before anything else.Here's the thing — Avant toute chose is often used as a solemn or urgent preamble: "Avant toute chose, il faut appeler les secours" (Before anything else, we must call emergency services). " In these cases, avant tout (before all) or avant toute chose (before anything else) are the correct tools. Day to day, "La sécurité, avant tout" (Safety first / Above all, safety) conveys a hierarchy of values rather than a step in a timeline. Distinguishing these from sequential markers is crucial; using premierement here would sound like you are listing "safety" as point one on an agenda, rather than declaring it the supreme condition.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Learners frequently stumble on false friends or grammatical mismatches. Do not confuse premierement with premier (the adjective); you cannot say "Le premierement point" (say le premier point). Avoid à premier or au premier—these are not valid adverbial phrases for "firstly" (though au premier abord means "at first glance"). Also, resist the urge to force a numbered list where it doesn't belong. If you are telling a story, ensuite (then), puis (then), and finalement (finally) are often better partners for d'abord than the rigid deuxièmement/troisièmement chain. Finally, remember that déjà can sometimes translate "first" in the sense of "already" or "to begin with" in commands ("Déjà, assieds-toi" — "First/For starters, sit down"), adding a layer of impatience or grounding that the other terms lack It's one of those things that adds up. Simple as that..
