auf den ersten Blick
Translation
at first glance, at first sight
Examples
Auf den ersten Blick schien alles normal.
At first glance, everything seemed normal.
Sie verliebten sich auf den ersten Blick.
They fell in love at first sight.
Grammar Patterns
((at first glance)) at first glance Auf den ersten Blick sah es einfach aus.
Similar Words
Synonyms: anfangs (initially), zunächst (at first); Antonyms: bei genauerem Hinsehen (on closer inspection)
Etymology
Literally 'on the first glance'. It's formed from 'auf' (on/at), 'den ersten' (the first), and 'Blick' (glance).
Memory Tips
This is a direct parallel to the English 'at first glance' or 'at first sight'. Use the English phrase as a memory hook.