Japanese grammar
What does ～まで (extension) mean? Japanese grammar N4
～まで (extension) means until ~ (continuously), as far as ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N まで V V (dictionary form) まで V |
| Romaji | ~ made |
| Meaning | until ~ (continuously), as far as ~ |
Forming it
| Verb | V (dictionary form) + まで |
|---|---|
| Noun (time/place) | N + まで |
How to use it
Indicates the end point of a continuously ONGOING action, or emphasizes "even ~".
- まで marks the ENDING POINT of an action that OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY throughout that period: 「五時まで働きます」= work continuously until 5 o'clock. The action fills the entire time span.
- At N4, まで extends to attach after a VERB in dictionary form: 「雨がやむまでここで待ちましょう」(let's wait here until the rain stops). The clause before まで is always in dictionary form, never conjugated into the past even if the whole sentence is in the past tense.
- The second extended meaning: "even ~" (emphasizing surprise) — 「子どもまでその歌を知っています」(even children know that song). This nuance is close to でも, but まで emphasizes "exceeding expectation" more.
- This pattern must be studied ALONGSIDE までに (the next pattern) because Vietnamese speakers translate both as "until/before" and confuse the continuous vs. one-time distinction.
Examples
昨日は十時まで会社で働きました。
Yesterday I worked at the office until ten.
雨がやむまでここで待ちましょう。
Let's wait here until the rain stops.
その話は子どもまで知っていました。
Even the children knew about that story.
Keep in mind
- から～まで = from ~ to ~: 九時から五時まで.
- The verb at the end of a sentence with まで is usually a continuous verb: 待つ・働く・寝る・勉強する.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong雨がやんだまで待ちましょう。
Let's wait until the rain stops.
Correct雨がやむまで待ちましょう。
The clause before まで always uses the DICTIONARY form, never conjugated into the past — even if the action has already happened.
-
Wrong五時まで宿題を出してください。
Please submit the homework before five o'clock.
Correct五時までに宿題を出してください。
出す is a ONE-TIME action, so までに (deadline) must be used. まで only goes with continuously ongoing actions.
Exam tips
- Trick: look at the VERB — ongoing (待つ・働く) → まで; done in one go (出す・帰る・電話する) → までに.