Structure
Verb[て]+ はじめて
Details
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Standard
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一般
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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日本に来て初めて、日本文化に興味を持った。
I didn't have any interest in Japanese culture until I came to Japan.
京都を訪れて初めて、京都が歴史の古い町だと分かった。
I didn't understand why Kyoto was known as a historical and ancient town until I visited there.
日本語を勉強して初めて、他の国の言語で話す面白さを知った。
I didn't know how fun it was to speak in other languages until I started studying Japanese.
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.
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