JLPT N4 · Time and reason

〜までに

By the deadline

Meaning

Used for a deadline by which an action must be completed.

Formation

  1. A time noun or a dictionary form + までに: 六時までに, 出かけるまでに
  2. まで is up until, までに is no later than

When to use it

Core use
By the deadline

Examples

20 sentences
  • 金曜日きんようびまでにレポートを出しだします

    I will submit the report by Friday.

  • 九時くじまでに宿題しゅくだいを終えおえたいです

    I want to finish my homework by nine.

  • 引っ越しひっこしの日ひまでにいらない物ものを片づけかたづけます

    I will sort out unnecessary things by moving day.

  • 来月らいげつの試験しけんまでにこの本ほんを二回にかい読みよみます

    I will read this book twice by next month’s test.

  • 先生せんせいが来るくるまでに教室きょうしつを静かしずかにしておきましょう

    Let's have the classroom quiet by the time the teacher arrives.

  • 明日あしたの昼ひるまでに返事へんじをください

    Please reply by noon tomorrow.

  • 暗くくらくなるまでに山やまを下りおりましょう

    Let's descend the mountain before it gets dark.

12 more examples
  • お客さんおきゃくさんが来るくるまでに料理りょうりを準備じゅんびします

    I will prepare the food before the guests arrive.

  • 三十歳さんじゅっさいになるまでに百万円ひゃくまんえんためたいです

    I want to save one million yen by the time I turn thirty.

  • 金曜日きんようびまでにこの本ほんを返しかえしてください

    Please return this book by Friday.

  • 出かけるでかけるまでに宿題しゅくだいを終わらせおわらせます

    I will finish my homework before I go out.

  • 五時ごじまでに駅えきへ来きてください

    Please come to the station by five.

  • 寝るねるまでにメールを送りおくります

    I will send the email before I go to bed.

  • 今月こんげつの終わりおわりまでに申し込んもうしこんでください

    Please apply by the end of this month.

  • 授業じゅぎょうが始まるはじまるまでに準備じゅんびします

    I will get ready before class starts.

  • 来週らいしゅうまでに予定よていを決めきめましょう

    Let's decide on our plans by next week.

  • お客さんおきゃくさんが来るくるまでに部屋へやを掃除そうじします

    I will clean the room before the guests arrive.

  • 明日あしたの朝あさまでに返事へんじをください

    Please reply by tomorrow morning.

  • 旅行りょこうまでにカメラを買いかいたいです

    I want to buy a camera before the trip.

Important notes

  • までに sets a deadline — 金曜日までに返す.

Common mistakes

  • まで describes continuation up to a limit; までに asks for completion by that limit.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

  1. Sentence 1: お客さんおきゃくさんが来るくるまでに料理りょうりを準備じゅんびします

  2. Sentence 2: 今月こんげつの終わりおわりまでに申し込んもうしこんでください

  3. Sentence 3: 旅行りょこうまでにカメラを買いかいたいです

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