までに
By ~, By the time that ~, Before ~
Structure
Noun + までに
Explanation
までに is formed by combining two particles: the adverbial particle まで and the case marking particle に. While までに is very similar in concept to まで ('until'), there is a key difference. The grammar point までに specifically means 'by' a certain time.
To use までに, it is attached to the end of a noun or a verb in its dictionary (non-past) form.
- 金曜日までにこの本を返してください。Please return this book by Friday.
- テレビを見るまでに宿題を終わらせてね。Make sure you finish your homework by the time you watch TV.
To understand the distinction between まで and までに, it helps to remember that に often points to a specific 'target' or 'point in time' for an action. In this grammar structure, に marks まで as that target deadline. This is related to まで's core meaning of 'up to' or 'as far as' (まで is sometimes written with the kanji 迄, particularly in formal writing and newspapers).
- 今月の終わりまでに引っ越しを済ませる。I will finish moving by the end of this month. (The focus is on completing the action before the deadline.)
- 今月の終わりまで引っ越しをする。I will be moving until the end of this month. (The focus is on the action of moving continuing right up to that point.)
In this sense, までに can be thought of more literally as 'with (A) as the limit (marked by に), do (B)'.
Fun Fact
Traditionally, まで indicated 'up to the completion of' an event. However, in modern Japanese, many people will interpret it as 'by the beginning of (A)'. Because of this, a phrase using a wide time frame, like 秋までに, could mean 'by the start of autumn' or 'sometime before autumn is over', based on who you're speaking with. In such situations, it's best to use a more precise timeframe to be clear.
- 休みが終わるまでにこの本を読みたい。I want to read this book by the time the vacation ends. (Specifies the end of the vacation, not just 'by the vacation'.)
Examples
金曜日までにレポートを送ってください。
Please send the report by Friday.
今晩までには荷物が届きます。
The package will be delivered by this evening.
会議が始まるまでに、コピーを取っておいてください。
Could you please make copies by the time the meeting starts?
来月までには引っ越します。
I will have moved out by next month.
３時までにホテルにチェックインしなくてはいけない。
I have to check in to the hotel by 3 o'clock.
夏休みまでに、旅行の計画を立てましょう。
Let's make our travel plans by summer vacation.
明日の朝までにこの仕事を終えることは無理です。
It's impossible to finish this work by tomorrow morning.
パーティーに参加したい方は、今週中までに連絡してください。
For those who want to join the party, please contact us by the end of this week.
返却期限までにこの本を返すことは難しそうです。
It looks like returning this book by the due date is going to be difficult.
お客様が来るまでに部屋を掃除するのは大変です。
Cleaning the room by the time the guests arrive is a lot of work.
まだ準備できていませんが、出発の時間までに絶対に間に合わせます。
I'm not ready yet, but I'll absolutely make it by the departure time.
卒業するまでに、運転免許を取りたいです。
By the time I graduate, I want to get my driver's license.