Core Function
まで marks the end point or limit in space, time, or extent.
Main Uses
1. Time Limit (Until)
5時まで - "until 5 o'clock"
明日まで - "until tomorrow"
月曜まで待つ - "wait until Monday"
2. Destination Limit (To/Up to)
東京まで - "to/as far as Tokyo"
ここまで - "up to here"
駅まで歩く - "walk to the station"
3. Extent/Degree
ここまで - "to this extent"
そこまで - "that much/far"
から + まで
Common combination for range:
9時から5時まで - "from 9 to 5"
月曜から金曜まで - "Monday to Friday"
東京から大阪まで - "Tokyo to Osaka"
まで vs に
に = destination (arrive/be)
まで = extent (all the way to)
駅に行く - "go to station" (destination)
駅まで歩く - "walk to station" (extent)
Both can be correct, nuance differs.
までに (By/Before)
までに = deadline (by the time):
まで - "until" (continuous)
までに - "by" (deadline)
5時まで働く - "work until 5" (continuous)
5時までに終わる - "finish by 5" (deadline)
Common Patterns
[Time]まで
5時まで待つ - "wait until 5"
[Place]まで
駅まで歩く - "walk to station"
[から]〜まで
9時から5時まで - "from 9 to 5"
Key Takeaways
✓ End point/limit
✓ "Until" (time)
✓ "To/up to" (place)
✓ までに for deadlines
✓ Often paired with から
Related: