frühestens
Translation
at the earliest
Examples
Ich kann frühestens um 18 Uhr kommen.
I can come at 6 p.m. at the earliest.
Der Zug kommt frühestens in zehn Minuten.
The train will arrive in ten minutes at the earliest.
Grammar Patterns
((frühestens)) + time expression at the earliest ... I'll arrive at 10 a.m. at the earliest.
Similar Words
Synonyms: nicht vor (not before); Antonyms: spätestens (at the latest)
Etymology
It is the superlative form of the adverb 'früh' (early). 'früh' -> 'früher' -> 'am frühesten'. 'frühestens' is a specific adverbial form meaning 'at the earliest'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'früh' (early) + '-estens' (superlative ending). It marks the earliest possible point in time. Pair it with its opposite, 'spätestens'.