Meaning
This grammar pattern has three main uses. First, with nouns, it indicates a place, occasion, or point in time, equivalent to 「…において」, 「…で」, or 「…に」. Second, with な-adjectives or nouns, it expresses that something has two aspects (A and B), meaning "being both A and B." Third, with な-adjectives or nouns, it emphasizes a situation, state, or condition.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| Noun | にして |
| な-adjective | にして |
Examples
-
司法試験はとても難しく、8回目にしてようやく合格できました。
The bar exam is extremely difficult; I finally managed to pass on my eighth attempt. -
彼は55歳にして父親になった。
He became a father at the age of 55. -
スミスさんは俳優にして監督でもある。
Mr. Smith is both an actor and a director. -
家は火事になったが、幸いにして家族はみんな無事でした。
The house caught fire, but fortunately, everyone in the family was safe. -
不幸にして、山本選手は試合中に足に大怪我を負い、サッカーが二度とできないと告げられた。
Unfortunately, Yamamoto suffered a serious leg injury during the match and was told he would never be able to play soccer again.
Summary
- 「〜にして」means "at (a point in time); being both A and B; fortunately/unfortunately"
- Attaches to nouns and な-adjectives
- In its first usage, 「にして」emphasizes the place, occasion, or point in time.