How to Say ‘By 3 o'clock’ in Japanese
3時までに
3 ji made ni
[san ji made ni]
💬 Usage Tip: [までに] means 'by' and gives a deadline. A fun shortcut: [まで] = until, [までに] = by. That little [に] does big deadline work.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese coworkers often use [までに] for tasks, submissions, and replies. If two instructions conflict, confirming the deadline politely is smart and professional.
Phrase Breakdown
3時
3 ji
Words in this phrase
3
3
[san]
three
The number 3. In 3時までに, it is part of the deadline expression meaning by 3 o'clock.
資料は3時までに送ります。
I will send the materials by 3 o'clock.
時
ji
[ji]
o'clock / hour
Used with numbers to indicate a clock time. Here it forms 3時, or 3 o'clock.
確認は3時までにお願いします。
Please confirm by 3 o'clock.
まで
made
[made]
until
Marks the limit point. With に after it, までに means by a deadline.
この仕事は3時までに必要です。
This work is needed by 3 o'clock.
に
ni
[ni]
by / at / in
A particle with many uses. In までに, it emphasizes completing something by that time deadline.
返事は3時までにください。
Please give me a reply by 3 o'clock.
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