Structure
Verb[て]+ はじめて
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About て初めて
て初めて is an expression in Japanese that highlights one verb as being the catalyst for some particular result/state. Verb て初めて literally means 'with (A) done, for the first time (B)'. Often, this translates similarly to 'only after I (A) did I (B)', or 'not until (A) did I (B)'.
In this structure, it should be noted that the (A) verb is not necessarily being done for the first time ever, just that this time resulted in the speaker's first experience of (B).
Caution
Originally, 始めて 'commencing with' and 初めて 'starting with' were both used with this expression. However, this is considered incorrect in modern Japanese, as only 初めて strictly carries the meaning of 'for the first time'.
- カレンダーを見て始めて今日は休日だってことを知った。Commencing with checking the calendar, I noticed that today is a holiday.
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カレンダーを見て初めて今日が休日だってことを知った。Only after checking the calendar did I notice that it is a holiday today.
Synonyms
Examples
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失って初めて、その価値が分かりました。
Only after I lost it, did I understand its value.
やってみて初めて、難しさを痛感しました。
Only after I tried it, did I fully realize the degree of difficulty.
話を聞いてみて初めて、君の苦労を知った。
Only after I heard your story, did I understand what you had been through.
テレビを見て初めて、地震があったことを知った。
It wasn't until I saw what was on TV, that I became aware of the fact that an earthquake had occured.
指摘されて初めて、寝癖がついていることに気づいた。
Only after it was pointed out, did I notice that I had bed hair.
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