はじめて

初 めて

Common word

  1. adverb (fukushi), nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

    for the first time

    • １６歳の時、初めてテニスをした。
      When I was sixteen, I played tennis for the first time.

  2. adverb (fukushi)

    only after ... is it ..., only when ... do you ..., not until ... do you ...
    after the -te form of a verb

    • しかし、抗議を通して初めて自由で開かれた社会が維持されるのである。
      Only through protest can a free and open society be maintained.

  3. noun (common) (futsuumeishi)

    first time, (one's) first
    colloquial