Noun にして初めて (Noun nishite hajimete)
Explanation
Expresses 'only when/after... for the first time'.
Formation
Noun + にして初めて
Detailed Explanation
The phrase Noun にして初めて is used to express a sense of realization or experience that only came about or was felt after reaching that particular stage or status. In English, it could be translated as 'only when/after... for the first time'.
Examples
大人にして初めて、親の苦労が分かった。
Otona ni shite hajimete, oya no kurou ga wakatta.
Only when I became an adult did I understand my parents' struggles for the first time.
彼は40歳にして初めて、海外旅行を経験した。
Kare wa yonjuu-sai ni shite hajimete, kaigai ryokou o keiken shita.
Only when he turned 40 did he travel abroad for the first time.
彼女は親にして初めて、子育ての大変さを理解した。
Kanojo wa oya ni shite hajimete, kosodate no taihensa o rikai shita.
It was only after she became a parent that she realized how challenging raising a child can be.
社長にして初めて、会社全体の重責を痛感した。
Shachou ni shite hajimete, kaisha zentai no juuseki o tsuukan shita.
Only when he became president did he feel the full weight of responsibility for the entire company.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.