初(はじ)めて

初(はじ)めて is an adverb meaning 'for the first time.' It indicates the speaker's first experience of something.

COMMON PATTERNS:

• 初(はじ)めて + verb: 初(はじ)めて食(た)べた (ate for the first time)
• 初(はじ)めての + noun: 初(はじ)めての経験(けいけん) (first experience), 初(はじ)めてのデート (first date)
• Verb て-form + 初(はじ)めて: 来(き)て初(はじ)めて分(わ)かった (only after coming did I understand)

GREETING:
初(はじ)めまして (Nice to meet you) derives from this word. Used when meeting someone for the first time.

SIMILAR WORDS:

• 最初(さいしょ)に: first (in a sequence), initially
• 初(はじ)めて: for the first time (emphasizes newness of experience)

NOTE:
Do not confuse with 始(はじ)めて from 始(はじ)める (to begin). 初(はじ)めて uses the kanji 初(はつ) (first/new).