Grammar › N2 · 02 Time and sequence

〜てはじめて: only after; not until

N2 · 02 Time and sequence

Says that you realize or can do something only after you have done a certain thing.

Verb te-form + はじめて. A realization or change follows: 失ってはじめて大切さがわかる. The first action is a necessary condition. The result is not a plan or command. Kanji: 初めて.

Examples

海外かいがいに住すんでみてはじめて、日本にほんの良よさがわかった。

It was only after I lived abroad that I understood Japan's good points.

病気びょうきになってはじめて、健康けんこうのありがたみを知しった。

Only after getting sick did I learn to appreciate good health.

Study 〜てはじめて in the course →