〜てはじめて

Pattern

〜てはじめて

Level

N3

Reading

てはじめて

Meaning

not until... / for the first time after...

Attaches to

て-form of verb

Nuance & register

Used to express that an important realization or change occurred only after a specific event.

Example

病気になってはじめて、健康の大切さがわかった。 It wasn't until I got sick that I understood the importance of health.

Easily confused with

〜てから

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