GRAMMAR
〜て初めて
not until
only after
Explanation
NOTE
〜て初めて means only after doing X does Y happen / become clear.
失って初めて、大切さがわかった。
It was only after losing it that I realized its importance.
This grammar is used to indicate that a certain situation or state did not exist until a specific event took place.
NOTE
Y would not have happened without first experiencing X. Often expresses realizations or appreciations.
STRUCTURE
Vて
初めて日本に来て初めて、本物の寿司を食べた。
Nihon ni kite hajimete, honmono no sushi o tabeta.
Only after coming to Japan did I eat real sushi for the first time.
親になって初めて、親の気持ちがわかった。
Oya ni natte hajimete, oya no kimochi ga wakatta.
Only after becoming a parent did I understand my parents' feelings.
経験して初めて、難しさを知った。
Keiken shite hajimete, muzukashisa o shitta.
Only after experiencing it did I learn how difficult it was.
Practice exercises
1
親になって初めて、親の気持ちが分かった。
It was only after becoming a parent that I understood my parents' feelings.
Answer
て初めて
2
病気になって初めて、健康の大切さが分かる。
It's only after getting sick that you understand the value of health.
Answer
て初めて
3
留学して初めて、日本の文化を理解できた。
It was only after studying abroad that I could understand Japanese culture.
Answer
て初めて
4
日本に来て初めて、本物の寿司を食べた。
Only after coming to Japan did I eat real sushi for the first time.
Answer
て初めて
5
親になって初めて、親の気持ちがわかった。
Only after becoming a parent did I understand my parents' feelings.
Answer
て初めて
6
海外に住んて初めて、日本の良さを実感した。
Only after living abroad did I truly appreciate the good things about Japan.
Answer
て初めて
7
経験して初めて、その仕事の難しさを知った。
Only after experiencing it did I learn how difficult that job was.
Answer
て初めて
8
失って初めて、その存在のかけがえなさに気づいた。
Only after losing it did I realize how irreplaceable that presence was.
Answer
て初めて