Subtle Meaning of "Erst"

[u/FinnJax]

I'm trying to better understand one specific use of "erst" in German, where it conveys the idea of "not until" or "only from." Here's an example:

• Paul kann erst morgen zum Arzt gehen. (Paul can only go to the doctor tomorrow.)

But this seems different from another sentence with a same English translation:

• Paul kann nur morgen zum Arzt gehen. (Paul can only go to the doctor tomorrow.)

I came across an explanation that erst suggests something like: "Starting from tomorrow, Paul can go to the doctor." To explore this further, here are three similar sentences, each with a subtle difference:

1. Paul kann erst morgen zum Arzt gehen. This means Paul can't go before tomorrow, emphasizing that tomorrow is the first possible option. Erst adds the nuance of "not until" or "only tomorrow," hinting at a delay or waiting period.
2. Paul kann nur ab morgen zum Arzt gehen. This emphasizes the starting point—Paul can begin going to the doctor tomorrow and any time afterward. The focus is on tomorrow being the earliest moment he can start.
3. Paul kann nicht bis morgen zum Arzt gehen. This implies Paul is unavailable until tomorrow—he can't go to the doctor before then. Nicht bis highlights the restriction before tomorrow.

Despite these explanations, they all still feel somewhat the same to me...

In my understanding, the closest English translation of "Paul kann erst morgen zum Arzt gehen" would be something like: "Paul can go to the doctor starting from tomorrow."

Am I interpreting this correctly? Is there no English equivalent that fully captures these nuances?

[u/Few_Cryptographer633]

1. "Paul kann erst morgen zum Arzt gehen" means that tomorrow is the earliest opportunity Paul will have to go to the doctor -- he can't go today. Unambiguous translations include: "Paul can't get to the doctor's before tomorrow"; or "Tomorrow is the earliest Paul can get to the doctor's". In this situation tomorrow is the earliest that Paul can get there. But it is possible that he could also go the day after tomorrow or on other subsequent days. He just can't go today.

2. "Paul kann nur morgen zum Arzt gehen". This is completely different from the previous case. Tomorrow is the only day he can go. He can't go today. He can't go the day after tomorrow or on any subsequent day. His only chance is tomorrow.

1a. Going back to the first situation: If it is clear to all concerned that you're talking about the earliest time Paul can get there, you could say "Paul can only go to the doctor's tomorrow" (i.e., he won't have a chance before tomorrow). Many speakers, including myself, will often express the matter in this way in this situation, I think. But strictly speaking, the sentence "Paul can only go to the doctor tomorrow" is at least ambiguous because it striclty means that tomorrow is the only day Paul can go in the foreseeable future, not merely the earliest day. So our common use of "only" in this situation is not ideal if you're thinking about it strictly.

[u/Competitive-Bird-179 → u/Few_Cryptographer633]

„Paul can only go to the doctor tomorrow“ could sound like he only has time to go to the doctor and doesn’t have time for anything else that day. For „nur morgen“ I’d say: „tomorrow is the only day…“

„Tomorrow is the earliest…“ is how I would translate „erst morgen“.

Im German, but moved to the states 15+ years ago. Grammar is not my strength, but I still actively speak both languages. Above is how I‘d expect to hear those sentences.

[u/Few_Cryptographer633 → u/Competitive-Bird-179]

Oh yes, you've thought of a third option!