At a glance
Noun にして初めて means "only (someone like) N can..." or "at N, for the first time". It attaches mainly to nouns for a person or ability level, or to an age or point in time. It is formal and mostly written.
[Person / ability noun] にして初めて [できる / 分かる / 可能だ]
[Age / point in time] にして初めて [event]
この仕事は、彼ほどの名人にして初めてできることだ。 Only a master like him could do this work.
How to form it
| Attaches to | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Person noun (often with ほどの / のような) | 彼ほどの名人にして初めて | only a master like him |
| Person defined by ability or experience | 経験者にして初めて | only an experienced person |
| Age or point in time | 六十歳にして初めて | at sixty, for the first time |
| Event or experience (失敗, 経験, 留学) | Use Verb-て初めて instead: 経験して初めて | only after experiencing |
Register: formal. It is common in writing and speeches.