JLPT N4 grammar

〜までにmeaning and usage

Meaning

By A; by the time A

How to form it

  • nounまでに
  • verb (dictionary form)までに

How it is used

A deadline: “by, no later than”; the action happens once, at some point before then. 「まで」 instead means the action lasts until then: compare 「五時まで働く」 and 「五時までに帰る」.

Examples

  1. いつまでに必要ですか。

    By when do you need it?

  2. この本は金曜日までに返してください。

    Please return this book by Friday.

  3. 暗くなるまでに家に帰りなさい。

    Be home before it gets dark.

  4. 遅くても九時までには駅に着きます。

    I'll get to the station by nine at the latest.