GRAMMAR
〜にして ①
only because it is x.
Explanation
NOTE
〜にして means only because it is X — something is possible precisely because of that special person, thing, or stage.
プロにしてはじめて分かる難しさだ。
It is a difficulty understood only because one is a professional.
NOTE
It is formal and literary. It often pairs with はじめて to stress that no one else could do it.
母にしてはじめて言える言葉だ。
These are words that can be said only because she is a mother.
にして emphasizes that the special quality of X makes the result possible.
NOTE
Attach にして directly to a noun, usually a noun naming a special person, role, or stage.
STRUCTURE
N辞
にして名人にしてはじめてできる技だ。
Meijin ni shite hajimete dekiru waza da.
It is a skill possible only because one is a master.
親にして子供の気持ちが分かる。
Oya ni shite kodomo no kimochi ga wakaru.
Only because one is a parent can one understand a child's feelings.
専門家にしてはじめて気づく点だ。
Senmonka ni shite hajimete kizuku ten da.
It is a point noticed only because one is an expert.
彼は天才にして、努力家でもあります。
Kare wa tensai ni shite, doryokuka demo arimasu.
He is not only a genius, but also a hard worker.
この場所は静かにして、景色もいいです。
Kono basho wa shizuka ni shite, keshiki mo ii desu.
This place is not only quiet, but the view is also good.
彼女は歌手にして、女優としても有名です。
Kanojo wa kashu ni shite, joyu to shite mo yuumei desu.
She is not only a singer, but also famous as an actress.
Practice exercises
1
彼にしてはじめて、このプロジェクトは成功に至った。
It was only because it was him that this project finally led to success.
Answer
にして
2
彼女にして初めて、この方法は可能となる。
It is only because it is her that this method becomes possible at all.
Answer
にして
3
彼女にして、この問題の根源を見抜けた。
It was only because it was her that she could discern the root cause of this problem.
Answer
にして
4
プロにしてはじめて分かる難しさだ。
It is a difficulty understood only because one is a professional.
Answer
にして
5
母にして言える言葉だ。
These are words that can be said only because she is a mother.
Answer
にして
6
専門家にしてはじめて気づく点だ。
It is a point noticed only because one is an expert.
Answer
にして
7
彼にして、困難こそあれ、成功させる道を見出せる。
Only because it is him, even if there are difficulties, he can find a path to success.
Answer
にして
8
彼にして、不可能な任務を成し遂げられた。
It was only because it was him that he could accomplish the impossible mission.
Answer
にして