Japanese grammar
What does ～てまで mean? Japanese grammar N1
～てまで means going so far as to… (in order to achieve something).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vて形 + まで Vて形 + までも |
| Romaji | temade |
| Meaning | going so far as to… (in order to achieve something) |
Forming it
| Verb (borrow money) | 借金をして + まで |
|---|---|
| Verb (stay up all night) | 徹夜して + まで |
How to use it
States going to the extreme of A to achieve a goal; usually implies the speaker finds it excessive.
- 「～てまで」 = going so far as to do A (a sacrifice/extreme) to achieve a goal. Usually carries the judgment "excessive, not worth it".
- Often used with 「～たくない／～必要はない」: 「借金をしてまで買いたくない」.
- The form 「～てまでも」 is more emphatic.
Examples
借金をしてまで、ブランド品を買いたくはない。
I don’t want designer goods badly enough to go into debt.
徹夜してまで仕上げる必要はない。
There’s no need to pull an all-nighter to finish it.
Keep in mind
- A is an extreme action/sacrifice.
- The following clause is usually negative or critical.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong朝ごはんを食べてまで、学校へ行く。
I even skipped breakfast to rush to school.
Correct朝ごはんを抜いてまで、学校へ急いだ。
A must be something EXTREME/a sacrifice; an ordinary action can't use this pattern.
-
Wrong借金するまで買いたくない。
I don't want to go into debt just to buy it.
Correct借金をしてまで買いたくない。
Attaches to the て-form + まで (「してまで」); 「するまで」 means "until borrowing", a completely different meaning.
Exam tips
- 「てまで」 = going so far as to sacrifice A; the following clause is usually negative/critical.