まで
made
Until ~; as far as ~; to (an extent); even ~
Marks the endpoint in time or space, or an extreme extent, translating as 'until', 'as far as', or 'even'.
How to form it
Attaches directly to a noun, a time expression, or the plain form of a verb (dictionary form or past tense). For nouns, no particle is inserted between the noun and まで. For verbs, use the dictionary form (for non-past) or past plain form (for past).
What it means
まで is a particle that sets a boundary. When used with time words or actions, it means 'until' and indicates the point at which something continues or stops. With places, it means 'as far as' or 'to', showing the destination or limit of movement. It can also express an extreme example, meaning 'even', when attached to a noun that represents the limit of a scale, like 'even a child knows'.
Example sentences
九時まで働きます。
Kuji made hatarakimasu.
I work until nine o'clock.
駅まで歩きましょう。
Eki made arukimashou.
Let's walk as far as the station.
子供まで知っています。
Kodomo made shitte imasu.
Even children know that.
Don’t confuse it with
までに
まで indicates a continuous action or state until the endpoint, while までに means 'by' a deadline, marking the limit before which an action is completed. For example, 九時まで働く means work until 9, but 九時までに帰る means to return by 9.
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Neutral and common in both speaking and writing, appropriate for all levels of formality.
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9Questions
What does まで mean?
Until ~; as far as ~; to (an extent); even ~. Marks the endpoint in time or space, or an extreme extent, translating as 'until', 'as far as', or 'even'.
How do you form まで?
Attaches directly to a noun, a time expression, or the plain form of a verb (dictionary form or past tense). For nouns, no particle is inserted between the noun and まで. For verbs, use the dictionary form (for non-past) or past plain form (for past).
Example of まで in a sentence
九時まで働きます。 — I work until nine o'clock.
までに — what is the difference?
まで indicates a continuous action or state until the endpoint, while までに means 'by' a deadline, marking the limit before which an action is completed. For example, 九時まで働く means work until 9, but 九時までに帰る means to return by 9.
What JLPT level is まで?
JLPT N5 (beginner), number 8 of 80 in Nihoner's learning order for N5.
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