～てはじめて (〜te hajimete)
Explanation
Realization or action done for the first time; 'only after', 'not until'.
Formation
Verb-て form + はじめて
Detailed Explanation
The ～てはじめて grammar point indicates that something is realized or happens for the first time only after another action is completed. It can be translated as 'only after' or 'not until'.
Examples
海外に行ってはじめて、日本の良さが分かりました。
Kaigai ni itte hajimete, Nihon no yosa ga wakarimashita.
Only after going abroad did I realize how great Japan is.
彼女と別れてはじめて、彼女の大切さに気づいた。
Kanojo to wakarete hajimete, kanojo no taisetsusa ni kizuita.
I realized her importance only after breaking up with her.
大学を卒業してはじめて、学生時代の楽しさが分かった。
Daigaku o sotsugyou shite hajimete, gakusei jidai no tanoshisa ga wakatta.
I understood how fun my student days were only after graduating from university.
子供ができてはじめて、親の気持ちが分かった。
Kodomo ga dekite hajimete, oya no kimochi ga wakatta.
I understood how parents feel only after I had a child.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.