Meaning
Used for a deadline by which an action must be completed.
Formation
- A time noun or a dictionary form + までに: 六時までに, 出かけるまでに
- まで is up until, までに is no later than
When to use it
- Core use
- By the deadline
Examples
20 sentences-
六時までに帰ります
I will be back by six o’clock.
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金曜日までにレポートを出します
I will submit the report by Friday.
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九時までに宿題を終えたいです
I want to finish my homework by nine.
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引っ越しの日までにいらない物を片づけます
I will sort out unnecessary things by moving day.
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来月の試験までにこの本を二回読みます
I will read this book twice by next month’s test.
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先生が来るまでに教室を静かにしておきましょう
Let's have the classroom quiet by the time the teacher arrives.
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明日の昼までに返事をください
Please reply by noon tomorrow.
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暗くなるまでに山を下りましょう
Let's descend the mountain before it gets dark.
12 more examples
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お客さんが来るまでに料理を準備します
I will prepare the food before the guests arrive.
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三十歳になるまでに百万円ためたいです
I want to save one million yen by the time I turn thirty.
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金曜日までにこの本を返してください
Please return this book by Friday.
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出かけるまでに宿題を終わらせます
I will finish my homework before I go out.
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五時までに駅へ来てください
Please come to the station by five.
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寝るまでにメールを送ります
I will send the email before I go to bed.
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今月の終わりまでに申し込んでください
Please apply by the end of this month.
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授業が始まるまでに準備します
I will get ready before class starts.
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来週までに予定を決めましょう
Let's decide on our plans by next week.
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お客さんが来るまでに部屋を掃除します
I will clean the room before the guests arrive.
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明日の朝までに返事をください
Please reply by tomorrow morning.
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旅行までにカメラを買いたいです
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.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
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