How to Say ‘Until’ in Japanese
まで
ma de
[mah deh]
💬 Usage Tip: [まで] marks the endpoint: [五時まで] “until 5,” [駅まで] “up to the station.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, being precise about end times can sound responsible in interviews, especially for shift-based care work.
Phrase Breakdown
ま
ma
[mah]
to; until
Used with a time/place as an endpoint marker. Often paired with から (from…to/until…).
九時から五時まで働けます。
I can work from nine to five.
で
de
[deh]
to; until (continuation)
This kana completes まで. Together, まで marks the end of a time range, important for availability logistics.
五時までお願いします。
Please (schedule me) until five o’clock.
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