How to Say ‘By the day before’ in Japanese
前日までに
zenjitsu made ni
[zen-JEE-tsoo mah-DEH nee]
💬 Usage Tip: までに means "by" (a deadline), while まで alone means "until". Compare 五時までに "by five" with 五時まで "until five".
Phrase Breakdown
前日
zenjitsu
[zen-JEE-tsoo]
the day before
The previous day relative to an event.
旅行の前日に準備します。
I prepare the day before the trip.
まで
made
[mah-DEH]
by (deadline, with に)
With に, sets a deadline: 'by'.
五時までに来てください。
Please come by five o'clock.
に
ni
[nee]
(part of までに 'by')
Particle marking a point in time; with まで it forms a deadline.
明日までに返事します。
I'll reply by tomorrow.
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