1An adverb indicating that this is the first occurrence of doing or experiencing something.
先週、初めて一人で海外旅行をした。
Last week, I traveled abroad alone for the first time.
彼女に初めて会ったのは高校の時だった。
The first time I met her was in high school.
納豆を初めて食べたとき、匂いに驚いた。
When I ate natto for the first time, I was surprised by the smell.
この曲は今日初めて聞いたけど、もう好きになった。
I heard this song for the first time today, and I already like it.
2Attached after the -te form of a verb (Vて初めて) to mean that only after doing something does one realize or achieve something.
自分で子育てをして初めて、親のありがたさが分かった。
Only after raising children myself did I understand how much I owed my parents.
海外に住んで初めて、自国の文化の良さに気づいた。
Only after living abroad did I notice the good points of my own country's culture.
病気になって初めて、健康の大切さを実感した。
Only after getting sick did I truly realize the importance of health.
3Used as a noun to refer to someone's "first experience" of something.
これが初めてなので、少し緊張しています。
This is my first time, so I'm a little nervous.
彼にとっての初めては、忘れられない思い出になった。
His "first" became an unforgettable memory.