て初めて (te mete)
Not until; only once something has happened; first time after that point
Meaning & usage
て初めて marks that something becomes true for the first time only after an earlier event or time is reached. It is used for first realizations, feelings, or changes, with the sense of not until then. It follows the te-form of a verb, as in 聞いて初めて or なって初めて, including time expressions with noun に なって like 今朝になって初めて. The main clause is not limited to the past and often uses verbs of learning, noticing, or changing.
Example sentences 4
-
その時になって初めて、私は本当に恐くなった。
It wasn't until then that I felt really frightened.
-
話すのを聞いて初めて彼だとわかった。
It wasn't until I heard him speak that I recognized him.
-
最近になって初めて彼女は考えを変えた。
It was not until recently that she changed her mind.
-
私は今朝になって初めて真実を知った。
Not until this morning did I learn the truth.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 3 past exam questions.
