て初めて

Phrase (Intermediate ㊥ 456)

A phrase which expresses the idea that someone does something or something happens only after something else happens or something else is done.

Equivalent: Not until; only after; for the first time

アメリカへ来て初めて竜巻を見た。: It was not until I came to America that I saw a tornado.
日本で生活して初めて日本人のものの考え方が分かってきた。: It was not until I lived in Japan that I started to understand how Japanese people think.
日本語を勉強して初めて外国語を学ぶ面白さを知った。: I didn't realise how interesting learning a foreign language was until I studied Japanese.
考えは文字にしてみて初めてはっきりすることが多い。: It is often not until you write down your idea that it becomes clear.
病気になって初めて健康の有り難さが分かる。: It is only after you become ill that you realise the value of health.
生まれて初めて刺身を食べた。: I ate sashimi for the first time in my life.

Formation

Vて	初めて
	読んで初めて	Only after you read