てからでないと(Not) unless ~ cannot, (Not) until ~ cannot

Structure

Verb［て］ + からでないと + (Negative)
Verb［て］ + からでなければ + (Negative)

Details

About てからでないと

Constructed from the て-form of verbs, から 'from', で, ない, and と, てからでないと is a grammar pattern that expresses that 'unless (A), (B) will not happen', or 'until (A), you cannot (B)'. Due to this, the (B) part of sentences that use this grammar pattern will always be negative.

This structure simply indicates that (B) must come after (A). This could be in relation either to (A) and (B) being finished, or simply to (B) becoming possible after (A).

Alternatively, the hypothetical ば form may be used instead of と. This will appear as てからでなければ.

てからでないと can be thought of as an extension of the base てから grammar pattern that expresses that (B) only happens after (A).

Synonyms

Examples

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サンプルを見(み)てからでないと、買(か)うかどうかは決(き)められません。

Until I see the sample, I cannot decide whether to buy it or not.

猫舌(ねこじた)なので、冷(さ)めてからでないと飲(の)めない。

Since I am sensitive to hot things, until it cools, I cannot drink it.

電源(でんげん)を切(き)ってからでないと、コンセントを抜(ぬ)いてはいけません。

Unless you turn off the power, you cannot unplug it.

サークルに入(はい)ってからでないと、活動(かつどう)に参加(さんか)できない。

Unless you join (enter) the club, you cannot participate in the activities.

撮影(さつえい)してからでないと、ギャラは入(はい)りません。

Until you (take) some photographs, you will not be paid.

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てからでないと – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

dokidokiwakuwaku
Would it be possible to get an explanation of how this grammar point differs from ないことには（～ない）? Thank you!
Scorzophyc
The individual components of this grammar structure make sense to me except 「から」.

What is the 「から」doing here?
nekoyama
In てから, it means “after” (grammar point for てから).

So, roughly, “if it’s not after doing…”