GRAMMAR DETAIL

〜てからでないと

not until after ... · unless ... first

Indicates that the following action or state is possible only after the preceding step has been completed.

Examples

本人の同意を得てからでないと写真は公開できない。

The photograph cannot be made public until the person has given consent.

実物を見てからでないと色は選べない。

I cannot choose a color until I have seen the actual item.

料金を払ってからでないと中には入れません。

You cannot enter until you have paid the fee.

Structure: Combine a verb's te-form with からでないと and a following expression of impossibility or difficulty to make the earlier step a prerequisite.
Basic usage: 実物を見てからでないと色は選べない。 makes seeing the actual item a prerequisite for choosing a color.

A sequence versus a requirement
- 払ってから入る orders paying before entering. 払ってからでないと入れない imposes the restriction that entry is impossible without paying first, so include the following negative expression in the reading.