日本語道場
Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2
N3
~てからでないと
~te kara de nai to
unless... first
When to use it
Use ~てからでないと to state that some action is a prerequisite: without doing A first, B is impossible, difficult, or unwise. The second clause must be negative or express inability/difficulty (できません, 難しい, わかりかねます), so it is common in business for deferring decisions, declining on-the-spot answers, and setting conditions in negotiation. In writing and formal speech, ~てからでなければ is the stiffer variant; ~てからじゃないと is the casual spoken one.
Formation
Examples
We can't place the order unless we get the director's approval first.
I'm afraid I can't reply until I've seen the quote.
The cause can't be identified without first checking the site.
I can't sign until I've looked over the contract.
We can't decide until we've heard everyone's opinion.