Processing keyword: ～までに (〜made ni)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～までに (〜made ni)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar point ～までに (〜made ni). This expression is essential for indicating deadlines or the latest time by which an action should be completed. Mastering ～までに will enhance your ability to discuss schedules, commitments, and time-sensitive tasks in Japanese.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

～までに (〜made ni) translates to "by" or "by the time" in English. It specifies a deadline or the latest possible time for an action to occur.

Structure

The basic structure is:

Verb (Dictionary Form) / Noun + までに

• Verb (Dictionary Form): The plain form of a verb (e.g., 行く, 食べる)
• Noun: A time-related noun (e.g., 明日, 5時)

Formation Diagram

Component	Example
Verb (Dictionary Form)	帰る
or
Noun (Time Expression)	金曜日
＋
までに	までに
＝	帰るまでに / 金曜日までに

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3. Comparative Analysis

～まで vs. ～までに

While ～までに means "by" (indicating a deadline), ～まで (〜made) without に means "until" (indicating a continuation up to a point).

• ～まで (〜made): Indicates the continuation of an action or state until a certain time.
  • 例: 雨が降るまで 帰りません。
    I won't go home until it rains.
• ～までに (〜made ni): Indicates a deadline by which an action should be completed.
  • 例: 雨が降るまでに 帰ります。
    I will go home by the time it rains.

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4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

1. 明日までにレポートを提出してください。
   Ashita made ni repōto o teishutsu shite kudasai.
   Please submit the report by tomorrow.
2. 5時までに帰ります。
   Go-ji made ni kaerimasu.
   I will return home by 5 o'clock.
3. 金曜日までにこの仕事を終わらせなければなりません。
   Kinyōbi made ni kono shigoto o owarasenakereba narimasen.
   I have to finish this work by Friday.
4. 講義が始まるまでに教室に入ってください。
   Kōgi ga hajimaru made ni kyōshitsu ni haitte kudasai.
   Please enter the classroom by the time the lecture starts.
5. 寝るまでに宿題を終わらせます。
   Neru made ni shukudai o owarasemasu.
   I'll finish my homework before I go to bed.

Formal and Informal Contexts

• Formal:
  会議が終わるまでにご連絡いたします。
  Kaigi ga owaru made ni go-renraku itashimasu.
  I will contact you by the time the meeting ends.
• Informal:
  映画が始まるまでに来てね。
  Eiga ga hajimaru made ni kite ne.
  Come before the movie starts.

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5. Cultural Notes

Punctuality in Japanese Culture

In Japan, punctuality is highly valued. Using ～までに correctly conveys respect for others' time and shows professionalism and reliability. Being precise with deadlines and expected times is essential in both social and business contexts.

Levels of Politeness

While the structure ～までに doesn't change, the verb forms used with it can vary in politeness:

• Casual:
  6時までに来て。
  Roku-ji made ni kite.
  Come by 6 o'clock.
• Polite:
  6時までに来てください。
  Roku-ji made ni kite kudasai.
  Please come by 6 o'clock.
• Honorific:
  6時までにお越しください。
  Roku-ji made ni okoshi kudasai.
  Please come by 6 o'clock. (more respectful)

Idiomatic Expressions

• 死ぬまでにしたい100のこと
  Shinu made ni shitai hyaku no koto
  100 things I want to do before I die
• This phrase is commonly used in bucket lists and expresses desires to accomplish certain goals within one's lifetime.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Using まで instead of までに for Deadlines
   • Incorrect:
     明日まで宿題を出してください。
     Ashita made shukudai o dashite kudasai.
     (Implies "Continue submitting homework until tomorrow")
   • Correct:
     明日までに宿題を出してください。
     Ashita made ni shukudai o dashite kudasai.
     Please submit your homework by tomorrow.
2. Placing までに After the Wrong Element
   • Incorrect:
     までに駅へ行きます。
     (Missing the time expression before までに)
   • Correct:
     10時までに駅へ行きます。
     Jū-ji made ni eki e ikimasu.
     I will go to the station by 10 o'clock.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  Think of "made" as "up to" and "ni" as "at/by". Together, "made ni" means "by (a deadline)".
• Practice with Time Expressions:
  Pair ～までに with various time expressions (dates, days of the week, clock times) to become familiar with its usage.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～までに (〜made ni) is used to express a deadline by which an action should be completed.
• It is constructed by adding までに after a Verb (Dictionary Form) or a Time-related Noun.
• Do not confuse ～までに (by) with ～まで (until); they have different meanings and usages.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Translate to Japanese: "Please finish this task by Monday."
   Answer: 月曜日までにこのタスクを終わらせてください。
2. Fill in the blank: "映画が始まる___に席につきましょう。"
   Answer: まで
   映画が始まるまでに席につきましょう。
   (Let's take our seats by the time the movie starts.)
3. True or False: "までに" indicates a continuous action until a certain time.
   Answer: False (It indicates a deadline, not continuity.)

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Feel free to revisit this lesson to reinforce your understanding of ～までに. Practice using it in your daily conversations to become more comfortable with deadlines and time expressions in Japanese.

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