German word

einstig

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɪ̯nstɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectiveformer

Example

Das war mein einstiges Fahrrad.

That was my former bicycle.

Illustration for einstig (former)

More examples

Ich habe gestern meinen einstigen Chef getroffen.

I met my former boss yesterday.

Core concept

A person, object, or role belongs to a completed earlier stage rather than to the present.

Common phrases

  • einstiger Kollege

    former colleague

  • einstiger Chef

    former boss

  • einstiges Unternehmen

    former company

Similar words

früher: Relating to a past period or an earlier occurrence.
ehemalig: Indicating a role or status held in the past.
alt: Indicating that age has made something no longer new.

Definition in German

Nicht mehr gegenwärtig, sondern einer früheren Zeit zugehörig.

Word origin

Einstig derives from the adverb einst, meaning 'once' or 'formerly', with the adjective-forming suffix -ig.

Usage tips

  • Einstig is chiefly attributive, and ehemalig is often the more neutral everyday choice for 'former'.

Opposites

Word lists with this word