1.
for the first time
Experiencing or doing something for the first time.
日本に初めて来ました。
I came to Japan for the first time.
初めて会った時
When we first met.
お寿司を初めて食べた。
I ate sushi for the first time.
初めて雪を見た子供はとても喜んだ。
The child who saw snow for the first time was very happy.
初めての海外旅行で、何もかもが新鮮に感じられた。
On my first trip abroad, everything felt fresh and new.
初めて is an adverb meaning 'for the first time.' It indicates the speaker's first experience of something.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 初めて + verb: 初めて食べた (ate for the first time)
- 初めての + noun: 初めての経験 (first experience), 初めてのデート (first date)
- Verb て-form + 初めて: 来て初めて分かった (only after coming did I understand)
GREETING:
初めまして (Nice to meet you) derives from this word. Used when meeting someone for the first time.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 最初に: first (in a sequence), initially
- 初めて: for the first time (emphasizes newness of experience)
NOTE:
Do not confuse with 始めて from 始める (to begin). 初めて uses the kanji 初 (first/new).