まで vs までに – Japanese Cheat Sheet

まで and までに both use the same kanji and look almost identical but they mean very different things. まで means "until" (continuous, ongoing up to a point). までに means "by" (a deadline: the action must be completed before or at that point). One tiny particle changes everything.

Tap a card to highlight its examples below.

まで "until", continuous duration

Use まで when something continues up to a time or place. The action or state is ongoing throughout. Works with both time and location.

夜よる十一時じゅういちじまで働はたらいた。I worked until 11 PM. (continuous action, up to a point)

ここまで来きてください。Please come up to here. (distance/location)

春はるまで待まちます。I'll wait until spring. (waiting is ongoing until then)

駅えきまでバスで行いきます。I'll go to the station by bus. (up to a destination)

ずっと終おわるまで待まっていた。I kept waiting until it was over.

までに "by [deadline]", completion required

Use までに when something must be done before or at a point in time. No continuous activity only the requirement that the result exists by the deadline.

明日あしたまでにレポートを出だしてください。Please submit the report by tomorrow. (deadline)

会議かいぎまでに準備じゅんびしておきます。I'll prepare by the time of the meeting.

三十歳さんじゅっさいまでに結婚けっこんしたい。I want to get married by the time I'm 30.

五時ごじまでに帰かえってね。Be home by 5 o'clock, okay?

締切しめきりまでに間まに合あわなかった。I didn't make it by the deadline.

The swap test how to choose

Ask yourself: is the action happening continuously up to that point, or does it just need to be completed by that point?

まで (continuous duration)

夜よる十時じゅうじまで勉強べんきょうする。

I'll study until 10 PM. (studying goes on until 10)

までに (deadline)

夜よる十時じゅうじまでに勉強べんきょうする。

I'll study by 10 PM. (odd for studying, but clear deadline pattern)

Classic confusion: "be there by 3"

✗ Wrong nuance

三時さんじまでいてください。

Please be there until 3. (continuous must stay until 3)

✓ If you mean "arrive by 3"

三時さんじまでに来きてください。

Please come by 3. (deadline just needs to happen before 3)

One-line rule: まで = staying or continuing up to a point. までに = something must be finished by that point. If you can replace it with "by [deadline]" in English, use までに.