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N5

まで(動詞)

まで(どうし)

Until (something) happens

友達ともだちが来くるまで、駅えきをウロウロした。

Until my friend came, I wandered around the station.

Explanation

「dictionary form + まで」 means 'keep doing something until something happens': 「バスが来るまで、本を読む」 (read until the bus comes).

Mixed up with

The verb before it takes the dictionary form, regardless of a past main clause: not 「友達が来たまで待った」 but 「友達が来るまで待った」. While you were waiting, your friend had not come yet.

The main clause after 「まで」 is a continuing action: 「親が帰るまで、テレビを見る」 (watch TV until my parents come home); after 「までに」 it is a one-time action: 「親が帰るまでに、宿題を終わらせる」 (finish my homework before my parents come home).

Examples

  1. 携帯けいたいは壊こわれるまで、使つかいます。

    Until my phone breaks, I will use it.

  2. 彼かれが来くるまで、日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうします。

    Until he comes, I will study Japanese.

  3. 映画えいがが始はじまるまで、友達ともだちと話はなした。

    Until the movie started, I talked with my friend.

Tested 2 times in past papers

N3 · Jul 2023, Q41N3 · Dec 2015, Q45