JLPT N5 Grammar
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Until / as far as
Category: Comparisons & Degree
まで is a grammatical particle used to indicate the endpoint or extent of a time, space, or action. It emphasizes the boundary or limit of something, and is often used in conjunction with から (from) to express a range or duration. For example, 9時から5時まで (from 9 o'clock to 5 o'clock) emphasizes the endpoint of the time range. When used with a verb, まで indicates the extent or limit of the action, such as 仕事をしてまで (working until).
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb form | Verb + まで | 働きますまで (working until) |
| Time phrase | Time phrase + まで | 9時まで (until 9 o'clock) |
| Location phrase | Location phrase + まで | 駅まで (as far as the station) |
毎日9時から5時まで働きます。
Mainichi 9-ji kara 5-ji made hatarakuimasu.
I work from 9 o'clock to 5 o'clock every day.
毎日 (every day), 9時から (from 9 o'clock), 5時まで (until 5 o'clock)
ここから駅まで歩いて10分です。
Koko kara eki made aruite 10-fun desu.
It takes 10 minutes to walk from here to the station.
ここから (from here), 駅まで (as far as the station), 歩いて (walking)
友だちが来るまで、本を読みます。
Tomodachi ga kuru made, hon o yomimasu.
I will read a book until my friend comes.
友だちが来るまで (until my friend comes), 本を読みます (will read a book)
まで is used to indicate the endpoint or extent of a time, space, or action. It is often used in conjunction with から (from) to express a range or duration. In formal writing, まで is used to indicate the extent or limit of an action, while in informal writing, it is used to indicate the endpoint of a time or space.
まで and に are often confused because they both indicate a boundary or limit, but まで emphasizes the endpoint or extent, while に indicates the destination or location.
Forgetting to pair から with まで can result in a sentence that does not clearly express a range or duration.
Using まで with a verb in the wrong tense can result in a sentence that does not clearly express the extent or limit of the action.
When using まで in the JLPT exam, make sure to use it correctly to indicate the endpoint or extent of a time, space, or action. Pay attention to the context and the verb tense to ensure that まで is used correctly.
毎日9時から5時______働きます。
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