〜てはじめて
te hajimete
Only after doing something did one realize
Formation 接続
Full formation notes
Vて + はじめて
Explanation 説明
The first event enables a realization, understanding or experience that was not possible before. The second part often contains 気づく, 分かる or 知る. It means only after, rather than merely describing the first time an action occurs.
Examples 例文
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社会人になってはじめて学生の気楽さに気付いた。
Only after starting work did I realize how carefree student life was.
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実際の物を見てはじめて、それが実在することを知った。
Only after seeing the actual object did I learn that it really existed.
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1人暮らしをしてはじめてどれくらい親に甘えていたかを知った。
Only after living alone did I realize how much I had relied on my parents.
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海外に行ってはじめて、自分の世界のせまさを知った。
Only after going abroad did I realize how narrow my world had been.
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彼にふられてはじめて自分自身のわがままさに気付いた。
Only after he broke up with me did I realize how selfish I had been.
How related patterns differ 比較
たびに describes a result repeated on each occasion. たとたんに emphasizes the instant after an action; てはじめて means realizing something only after an experience. たて describes something freshly completed, while たものだ recalls a past habit.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜てはじめて | Only after doing something did one realize | 社会人になってはじめて学生の気楽さに気付いた。 Only after starting work did I realize how carefree student life was. |
| ～たものだ | Used to; would often do in the past | 子どものころ、よくこの川で泳いだものだ。 When I was a child, I used to swim in this river. |
| ～たて | Freshly done; newly completed | できたてのたこ焼きは、とっても熱いので、火傷をしないようにしてくださいね。 Freshly made takoyaki is very hot, so please be careful not to burn yourself. |
| ～たび（に） | Every time; whenever | この歌を聞くたびに、学生時代を思い出します。 Every time I hear this song, I remember my school days. |
| ～うちに | While; before a situation changes; during which | 若いうちに、いろいろな国を見てみたいです。 I want to see various countries while I am young. |
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