Italian Phrase
È la prima volta.
Meaning
Literally “It is the first time.” The phrase is used to state that something is happening for the first time, either for the speaker or for someone else.
When to use
Use it when you experience something new, when you want to emphasize that an event has never occurred before, or when you ask someone if it’s their first time doing something.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èlaprimavolta
È (essere)
Third‑person singular present of the verb *essere* (to be). It contracts from *e* + *è* in writing, but the correct form is *È* with a grave accent.
la (definite article)
Feminine singular definite article, agrees with the noun *volta*.
prima (ordinal adjective)
Means “first” and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies; here it matches the feminine singular *volta*.
volta (noun)
Literally “time” or “occasion”; used to count occurrences (e.g., *la prima volta* = the first time).
🗨In Conversation
È la prima volta che provi il sushi?
Is this your first time trying sushi?
Sì, è la prima volta.
Yes, it’s my first time.
✕Common Mistakes
E' la prima volta.
The apostrophe is incorrect; the correct form uses a grave accent: *È*.
Sono la prima volta.
Verb *essere* must agree with the subject; you should say *È* (it is) not *Sono* (I am).
La prima volta è.
While grammatically possible, the natural order in Italian is *È la prima volta*.
↔Alternatives
È la prima volta per me.
It’s the first time for me.
È la prima volta che lo faccio.
It’s the first time I’m doing it.
È la prima volta che lo vedo.
It’s the first time I see it.
Cultural Tip
In Italian conversation, *È la prima volta* is often followed by a *che*‑clause (e.g., *È la prima volta che vado a Roma*). It can be used both affirmatively and interrogatively. Italians tend to be expressive about first experiences, so you’ll hear it frequently in travel, food, and hobby contexts.