This is the 9267th most frequent Russian word.
сперва
"Сперва" means "at first" or "initially" in English.
'сперва' is used here to denote the first action in a sequence of events.
Сперва он зашел в магазин, а потом направился домой.
At first, he went to the store and then headed home.
'сперва' expresses an initial state or intention that was followed by a change.
Сперва я хотел отказаться, но потом передумал.
At first, I wanted to refuse, but then I changed my mind.
'сперва' is employed to emphasize the priority of the initial action in a process.