Ⅰ. at first “起初”,多用来表示后来发生的事情或动作,与前面的不同,甚至相反。如:
At first she knew nobody but now she has many good friends.起初她谁也不认识,但现在她有很多朋友。
Ⅱ. first 用来表示一系列动作或事物的“开始”。如:
Be polite. First knock at the door and then go in. 要有礼貌。先敲门,再进去。