At a glance
Noun にして is a formal, mostly written expression. It means "at (the age or stage of)", "even for / only (someone of that level)", or "both A and B".
[Noun] + にして
[Noun A] にして [Noun B]
五十歳にして初めて父親になった。 He became a father for the first time at fifty.
How to form it
にして attaches directly to a noun, with no だ or の in between.
| Use | Attaches to | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age / stage | Number + 歳, 回目, etc. | 四十歳にして | at (the age of) forty |
| Even / only for | Noun for a person of high level | 名人にして初めて | only a master |
| Both A and B | Noun A にして Noun B | 医者にして作家 | both a doctor and a writer |
| Set phrases | 一瞬, 一夜 | 一瞬にして | in an instant |
Register: formal. It is found in writing, news and speeches.