Erfahrungen zählen: Das erste, zweite, dritte Mal
It's the first time I've... und erzähl selbstbewusst von deinen einzigartigen „first time“ Erlebnissen.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When counting how many times you have done something, always use the Present Perfect tense after the ordinal number.
- Use 'It is the first/second time' + Present Perfect. Example: 'It's the first time I've been here.'
- Never use the Simple Present after this phrase. Wrong: 'It's the first time I am here.'
- Use the Past Perfect if the main verb is in the past. Example: 'It was the first time I had seen it.'
Overview
It's the first time I've... (Es ist das erste Mal, dass ich...).Present Perfect, um die Brücke zwischen der Vergangenheit (dem Beginn des Erlebnisses) und der Gegenwart (dem Moment, in dem du darüber sprichst) zu schlagen.I have been to London, sondern du kannst nun nuancieren: This is the third time I've been to London. Damit zeigst du deinem Gegenüber sofort, wie vertraut du mit einer Situation bist.Present Perfect ansehen. Für einen englischen Muttersprachler ist ein „erstes Mal“ oder ein „drittes Mal“ kein abgeschlossenes Ereignis in der Vergangenheit, sondern eine Information, die deinen aktuellen Status in der Gegenwart definiert.- 1Der Auslöser (
It's/This is): Du zeigst auf die aktuelle Situation.It'sist die Kurzform vonIt isund wird im Alltag am häufigsten verwendet.This isklingt oft ein wenig demonstrativer, als würdest du physisch auf den Moment deuten. - 2Der bestimmte Artikel (
the): Da es sich um ein ganz spezifisches Mal in einer Reihenfolge handelt (das 1., 2. oder 3.), isttheabsolut notwendig. Ohnetheklingt der Satz für englische Ohren „nackt“ und falsch. - 3Die Ordnungszahl (
first,second,third...): Hier zählen wir die Erfahrung. Wichtig: Nutze immer Ordnungszahlen, keine Grundzahlen (also nichtone time, sondernfirst time). - 4Die Zeitform (
Present Perfect): Das ist das Herzstück. Du nutzthave/has+Past Participle. Warum? Weil die Erfahrung bis zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt zählt.
*This is the second time I lose my keys*), versteht dich zwar jeder, aber es klingt sehr unnatürlich. Im Englischen „besitzt“ du die Erfahrung des Verlierens in diesem Moment, daher: I have lost.It's the first time... | Einleitung der Situation |...I have been here. | Bezug zur Gegenwart (Present Perfect) |...he has done that. | Fokus auf die Erfahrung bis jetzt |It's / This is + the + [Ordnungszahl] + time + (that) + Subjekt + Present Perfect (have/has + 3. Verbform)- Ordnungszahlen: Achte auf die korrekte Schreibweise:
first,second,third,fourth,fifth(nichtfiveth!),tenth,twentieth. - Das Wort
that: Im Englischen kannst du das „dass“ (that) oft weglassen. In der gesprochenen Sprache hört man meistens:It's the first time I've seen him.Das ist kürzer und flüssiger. In formellen E-Mails kannst duthatstehen lassen, um den Satz klarer zu strukturieren. - Subjekt-Verb-Anpassung: Vergiss nicht, dass sich
havebeihe/she/itzuhasändert. Das ist ein klassischer Fehler, der auch auf B1-Niveau noch oft passiert.
It's the first time I have driven an electric car.(Es ist das erste Mal, dass ich ein Elektroauto fahre.)This is the third time she has called me today.(Dies ist das dritte Mal, dass sie mich heute angerufen hat.)It's the second time we've visited this restaurant.(Es ist das zweite Mal, dass wir dieses Restaurant besuchen.)
I've, you've, he's, we've, they've). Das lässt dich sofort viel natürlicher klingen. It's the first time I've been here klingt wesentlich flüssiger als It is the first time I have been here.- 1Besondere Premieren feiern:
It's the first time I've seen the Northern Lights!(Das erste Mal Polarlichter – ein echtes Highlight.)This is the first time I've traveled alone.(Ein wichtiger Schritt in der persönlichen Entwicklung.)
- 1Wiederholungen und Gewohnheiten zählen:
It's the fourth time I've read this report, but I still don't understand it.(Hier schwingt oft ein wenig Frustration mit – die Wiederholung macht die Sache nicht besser.)This is the third time they've changed the meeting schedule.(Ein Klassiker im Berufsalltag.)
- 1Rekorde und Superlative:
It's the best meal I've ever had.(Das beste Essen, das ich je hatte.)This is the worst movie I've ever seen.(Der schlechteste Film meines Lebens.)
- 1Beziehungen und soziale Interaktion:
It's the first time we've met in person, right?(Wir haben uns vorher nur per Zoom gesehen.)This is the second time I've run into you this week!(Zufällige Begegnung im Supermarkt.)
- Falsch:
*It's the first time I do this.*(Klingt für Briten/Amerikaner so, als würdest du eine allgemeine Regel aufstellen, nicht über ein aktuelles Erlebnis sprechen.) - Richtig:
It's the first time I've done this.
- Falsch:
*It was the first time I went to Berlin.*(Das kannst du nur sagen, wenn du über eine Reise sprichst, die Jahre zurückliegt. Wenn du gerade *jetzt* in Berlin stehst, ist das falsch.) - Richtig:
It's the first time I've been to Berlin.
- Falsch:
*It's first time I eat sushi.* - Richtig:
It's the first time I've eaten sushi.
- Falsch:
*It's the one time I've been here.*(Das bedeutet „das eine Mal“, nicht „das erste Mal“.) - Richtig:
It's the first time I've been here.
It's the first time I've... | Die Position in einer Sequenz (bis jetzt). | It's the second time I've called. |I have done it once/twice. | Die reine Anzahl der Wiederholungen. | I have called twice. |I used to do it. | Eine Gewohnheit in der Vergangenheit (vorbei). | I used to call him every day. |It was the first time I had... | Ein „erstes Mal“ in einer Erzählung (Vergangenheit). | It was the first time I had seen him. |I have been to Paris twice, gibst du eine sachliche Information über dein Leben preis. Wenn du sagst This is the second time I've been to Paris, betonst du den aktuellen Moment und die Tatsache, dass du gerade wieder dort bist oder die Erfahrung gerade frisch ist. Die Struktur mit `It's the...that benutzen?that in dieser Struktur in 90 % der Fälle weggelassen, besonders beim Sprechen. It's the first time I've been here ist völlig korrekt und klingt sogar natürlicher als mit that.ever einbauen?Ever verstärkt die Aussage. It's the first time I've ever seen a whale klingt viel beeindruckter als ohne ever. Es betont, dass dies in deinem ganzen bisherigen Leben noch nie passiert ist.Past Perfect: It was the first time I had seen the ocean. Aber Vorsicht: Solange du über dein Leben bis zum heutigen Tag sprichst, bleib beim Present Perfect (It's... I've...).the last time (das letzte Mal) nutzen wir im Englischen oft das Simple Past, weil das Ereignis abgeschlossen ist: The last time I saw him was in 2010. Die Struktur mit Present Perfect ist primär für das Zählen von Erfahrungen (first, second, third...) reserviert, die sich theoretisch wiederholen könnten oder gerade stattfinden.Present Perfect Structure with Ordinals
| Introductory Phrase | Subject | Auxiliary (Have/Has) | Past Participle | Rest of Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
It's the first time
|
I
|
have
|
seen
|
this.
|
|
It's the second time
|
you
|
have
|
been
|
here.
|
|
It's the third time
|
he
|
has
|
called
|
me.
|
|
It's the fourth time
|
she
|
has
|
lost
|
it.
|
|
It's the fifth time
|
it
|
has
|
rained
|
today.
|
|
It's the sixth time
|
we
|
have
|
met
|
them.
|
|
It's the seventh time
|
they
|
have
|
tried
|
this.
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contracted Form | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
|
It is the first time
|
It's the first time
|
Most common in speech
|
|
I have seen
|
I've seen
|
Standard informal/neutral
|
|
He has been
|
He's been
|
Standard informal/neutral
|
|
It was the first time
|
It was the first time
|
No contraction for 'was'
|
|
I had seen
|
I'd seen
|
Standard for Past Perfect
|
Meanings
A specific construction used to indicate the frequency or order of an experience within a person's lifetime or a specific period.
Current Experience
Describing an event happening right now as a numbered occurrence in your life.
“It's the first time I've ever eaten sushi.”
“This is the second time she has lost her keys this week.”
Past Experience
Describing a past event as a numbered occurrence relative to that specific time in the past.
“It was the first time I had ever felt so nervous.”
“That was the second time they had met.”
Emphasis with 'Ever'
Using 'ever' to add emphasis to the uniqueness or rarity of the experience.
“It's the first time I've ever seen a whale.”
“This is the third time I've ever had to do this.”
Reference Table
| Art der Erfahrung | Struktur | Beispielsatz | Bedeutung |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First-ever
|
`It's the first time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
|
`It's the first time I've tried durian.`
|
Ich habe Durian vor diesem Moment noch nie probiert.
|
|
Second instance
|
`It's the second time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
|
`This is the second time she's seen a Broadway show.`
|
Sie hat vor dieser Show schon eine Broadway-Show gesehen.
|
|
Repeated (higher count)
|
`It's the Nth time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
|
`It's the tenth time they've flown on this airline.`
|
Sie sind diese Fluggesellschaft zuvor neunmal geflogen.
|
|
Emphasizing now
|
`It's the Xth time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
|
`It's the first time I've felt this calm all week.`
|
Ich habe mich diese Woche bis jetzt nicht so ruhig gefühlt.
|
|
Formal version
|
`This is the first time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
|
`This is the first time I have submitted a formal complaint.`
|
Dies ist meine erste Erfahrung beim Einreichen einer formellen Beschwerde.
|
|
Informal version
|
`It's the first time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
|
`It's the first time I've actually aced a test!`
|
Ich habe vor jetzt noch keinen Test mit Bravour bestanden.
|
Formalitätsspektrum
This marks the first occasion on which I have visited this establishment. (Dining out)
It's the first time I've been to this restaurant. (Dining out)
First time I've ever been here! (Dining out)
Never been here before, man. (Dining out)
Erfahrungen zählen
Schlüsselkomponenten
- 'It's / This is' Einleitende Phrase
- 'the' Bestimmter Artikel (entscheidend!)
- Ordnungszahl first, second, third...
- 'time' Indikator für Häufigkeit
- Present Perfect have/has + Past Partizip
Häufige Verwendungen
- Erstes Erlebnis überhaupt Neuheit, Einzigartigkeit
- Wiederholte Handlungen Wie oft etwas passiert ist
- Betonung des aktuellen Moments Verbindung zum Jetzt
- Lebensgeschichten Persönliche Geschichte teilen
Nicht verwechseln mit
- Simple Past Für einzelne, vergangene, abgeschlossene Ereignisse
- 'X times' Allgemeine Häufigkeit, nicht spezifisches Vorkommnis
- Zukünftige Zeitformen Für kommende Pläne
'It's the Nth Time' vs. 'X Times'
Wann "It's the Nth time I've..." wählen?
Sprichst du darüber, wie oft etwas bis JETZT passiert ist?
Ist es eine spezifische, nummerierte Instanz (erste, zweite, dritte usw.)?
Ist die Handlung abgeschlossen oder andauernd und mit der Gegenwart verbunden?
Wann man "It's the Nth Time" verwendet
Erstes Mal
- • Erstes Mal Essen probieren
- • Erstes Mal ein Land besuchen
- • Erstes Mal ein Phänomen sehen
Wiederholte Freude
- • Zweites Mal einen Lieblingsfilm sehen
- • Drittes Mal ein geliebtes Buch lesen
- • Viertes Mal ein Album hören
Wiederholter Ärger
- • Fünftes Mal Schlüssel verlieren
- • Zweites Mal einen Bus verpassen
- • Drittes Mal, dass ein Freund zu spät kommt
Meilensteine
- • Zehntes Mal einen Marathon laufen
- • Erstes Mal eine Beförderung bekommen
- • Drittes Mal ein Ziel erreichen
Beispiele nach Niveau
This is my first time here.
This is my first time here.
It is my first time in London.
It is my first time in London.
Is it your first time?
Is it your first time?
This is the first time for me.
This is the first time for me.
It's the first time I have been to this shop.
It's the first time I have been to this shop.
This is the second time she has called.
This is the second time she has called.
It is the third time he has lost his pen.
It is the third time he has lost his pen.
Is this the first time you have seen this movie?
Is this the first time you have seen this movie?
It's the first time I've ever driven a car.
It's the first time I've ever driven a car.
This is the second time that I've had to tell you to be quiet.
This is the second time that I've had to tell you to be quiet.
It's the third time he's failed the test this year.
It's the third time he's failed the test this year.
Is it the first time you've stayed in a five-star hotel?
Is it the first time you've stayed in a five-star hotel?
It was the first time I'd ever seen such a beautiful sunset.
It was the first time I'd ever seen such a beautiful sunset.
That was the third time they had broken up that month.
That was the third time they had broken up that month.
This is the only time I have ever felt truly understood.
This is the only time I have ever felt truly understood.
It wasn't the first time he'd been late for a meeting.
It wasn't the first time he'd been late for a meeting.
This marks the first time that the two nations have signed a peace treaty.
This marks the first time that the two nations have signed a peace treaty.
It was the first time that the theory had been put to a rigorous test.
It was the first time that the theory had been put to a rigorous test.
This is the fourth time this week that the system has crashed unexpectedly.
This is the fourth time this week that the system has crashed unexpectedly.
Rarely is it the first time that a genius has been recognized in their own era.
Rarely is it the first time that a genius has been recognized in their own era.
Should this be the first time you have encountered such a clause, please seek legal counsel.
Should this be the first time you have encountered such a clause, please seek legal counsel.
It was the first time that the protagonist had been forced to confront his own mortality.
It was the first time that the protagonist had been forced to confront his own mortality.
This is by no means the first time that the public has been misled by such rhetoric.
This is by no means the first time that the public has been misled by such rhetoric.
The 1920s represented the first time that women had been granted the right to vote in many countries.
The 1920s represented the first time that women had been granted the right to vote in many countries.
Leicht verwechselbar
Learners often use Simple Past because the event feels finished.
Learners try to mix the two structures.
Using 'once' to mean 'the first time'.
Häufige Fehler
It is first time I see this.
It is the first time I have seen this.
This is my one time here.
This is my first time here.
It's the first time I am here.
It's the first time I've been here.
It is the first time for see him.
It is the first time I have seen him.
It's the second time I'm calling you.
It's the second time I've called you.
This is the third time he has lose his keys.
This is the third time he has lost his keys.
It's the first time I have went there.
It's the first time I have been there.
It was the first time I have seen it.
It was the first time I had seen it.
It's the first time I've ever saw him.
It's the first time I've ever seen him.
Is it the first time you are visiting?
Is it the first time you have visited?
This is the first time that he would have seen it.
This is the first time that he has seen it.
It's the first time I've ever been being here.
It's the first time I've ever been here.
That marks the first time she has had been invited.
That marks the first time she has been invited.
Satzmuster
It's the first time I've ever ___.
This is the second time ___ has ___ this week.
It was the first time they had ever ___.
Is it the first time you've ___?
Real World Usage
It's the first time I've been to the Eiffel Tower!
This is the second time I've had to call about my internet connection.
First time I've ever tried blue hair! What do you think?
This is the third time I have applied for a position at this firm.
It's the first time I've felt this way about someone.
Is this the first time you've experienced this pain?
Immer "the" benutzen
Das klingt für Muttersprachler nicht natürlich. Denk immer an dasthe
vor der Ordnungszahl, wie inthe first time".
Present Perfect ist super wichtig
It's the Xth time verwenden! Wenn du über Erlebnisse bis jetzt sprichst, brauchst du das Present Perfect. Sag nicht "It's the first time I saw, sondern It's the first time I've seen"."Ever" für extra Betonung
ever nach "I've oder she's ein. It's the first time I've ever tasted durian!" macht es noch besonderer.Erzähl von deinen "ersten Malen"
firsts (das erste Mal etwas tun, der erste Besuch irgendwo) zu sprechen. Das ist ein toller Gesprächsöffner! Denk nur an "It's the first time I've visited London!""That" ist optional
that nach time in dieser Struktur oft weglassen, besonders beim Sprechen. Beide Sätze sind korrekt: "It's the first time I've been und It's the first time that I've been".Smart Tips
Stop! Change 'am' to 'have been'.
If you start with 'It was', you must use 'had'.
Add 'ever' right before the past participle.
Treat 'the only time' exactly like 'the first time'.
Aussprache
Stress on Ordinals
In the phrase 'It's the first time,' the word 'first' (or second, third) usually receives the primary sentence stress to emphasize the order.
Contraction Reduction
The 've' in 'I've' or 's' in 'he's' is often very short and almost disappears in fast speech.
Rising-Falling on Ordinal
It's the ↗FIRST↘ time...
Conveys surprise or significance of the event.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
First time? Perfect time! (Always use the Perfect tense for the first time).
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a timeline of your life. Every time you do something new, you put a gold star on the timeline. The 'Present Perfect' is the string connecting your current star back to the beginning of the line.
Rhyme
When it's the first or second time, Present Perfect makes it rhyme!
Story
Imagine a traveler named Tim. Every time Tim enters a new country, he says, 'It's the first time I've been here!' He uses 'have been' because he's carrying his passport (his past) with him into the new country (the present).
Word Web
Herausforderung
Look around your room. Find three things you are doing for the 'first time' today (e.g., 'It's the first time I've opened this book today') and say them out loud.
Kulturelle Hinweise
British speakers are very strict about using the Present Perfect with 'first time'. Using the Simple Past ('It's the first time I went') sounds much more 'wrong' to a British ear than to some American ears.
While the Present Perfect is the standard, in very casual American speech, you might occasionally hear the Simple Past ('It's the first time I saw that'), though it is still technically incorrect in formal grammar.
Using 'This marks the first time...' is a common way to start press releases or formal announcements in English-speaking corporate environments.
The use of the perfect aspect with ordinals developed as English moved away from using the simple present for all 'state' descriptions in the Middle English period.
Gesprächseinstiege
Is this the first time you've used an app to learn English?
Tell me about the first time you've ever traveled alone.
How many times have you seen your favorite movie?
Is it the first time you've eaten spicy food?
Tagebuch-Impulse
Häufige Fehler
Test Yourself
It's the first time I ___ sushi.
Find and fix the mistake:
This is second time I've seen that movie.
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /3
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesIt's the first time I ___ (see) such a big dog!
Find and fix the mistake:
It is the second time I am visiting London.
Select the correct option:
time / the / it's / I've / third / called / him
1. It's the first time... | 2. It was the first time... | 3. This is the only time...
A: Do you like this pizza? B: Yes! ___.
You can use the Simple Present after 'It's the first time' if the action is happening right now.
What is the correct sentence?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesIt's the fifth time she ___ her keys this week!
I think it's the first time I ever feel so tired.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate: 'È la prima volta che ho visto un'aurora boreale.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the phrases:
I can't believe it; this is my ___ time trying to bake this cake!
It was the first time I have visited New York.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate: 'Questa è la seconda volta che ho parlato con il direttore.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the scenarios:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, but only if you follow it with a noun or prepositional phrase (e.g., 'This is my first time in Japan'). If you want to use a verb, you must use the 'It's the first time I have...' structure.
In English, the Simple Present is for habits or general truths. A 'first time' is an experience that connects your past to now, which is the specific function of the Present Perfect.
No, 'that' is optional. 'It's the first time I've been here' and 'It's the first time that I've been here' are both correct, though the version without 'that' is more common in speech.
For the future, we usually use the Future Perfect: 'By next week, it will be the third time I have visited him.' However, this is quite advanced and less common.
Adding 'ever' is very common in spoken English because it adds emphasis to the newness of the experience.
Yes! 'This is the last time I have helped you!' (though 'This is the last time I am helping you' is also used for future intent).
Usually 'been' is used if you are currently at the place. 'Gone' is used if you are talking about the trip as a completed action.
The most common mistake is using the Simple Past: 'It's the first time I saw it.' Remember, if the first part is 'It IS', the second part must be 'have/has'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Es la primera vez que [presente]
English uses perfect aspect; Spanish uses present tense.
C'est la première fois que [présent]
French logic is 'it is happening now'; English logic is 'it has happened until now'.
Es ist das erste Mal, dass [Präsens]
German uses simple present.
...no wa hajimete desu
Japanese uses a noun-based construction ('the coming is the first time').
هذه هي المرة الأولى التي [present]
Arabic does not use a perfective aspect here.
这是我第一次 [verb]
Chinese relies on word order and particles rather than verb aspect.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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