N4 · Structured courses

Made Ni: By (Deadline)

Learn までに for completing an action by a deadline — crucial distinction from まで (until). This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.

12 minNihongo Hub Editorial TeamPublished 2026-06-06Updated 2026-06-06

Learning objectives

  • Lesson goals: Learn までに for completing an action by a deadline — crucial distinction from まで (until).
  • Form and connection: [Noun/Verb辞书形] までに
  • Nuance in real use: までに creates a temporal boundary in your Japanese — every action marked with it has a clear deadline. The grammar of time management.

Form and connection

[Noun/Verb辞书形] までに

Core Explanation

Learn までに for completing an action by a deadline — crucial distinction from まで (until).

Cultural Note

までに creates a temporal boundary in your Japanese — every action marked with it has a clear deadline. The grammar of time management.

Practical examples

Please submit the report by Friday.
Please give me an answer by next week.
I want to get married by the time I'm thirty.

Common pitfalls

Build the base form before adding the pattern

Complete the required conjugation first. Do not keep polite and plain endings at the same time.

Match politeness to the situation

The examples are reliable starting points; relationships and context can still change the most natural wording.

Practice and answers

1. Write the connection formula for this lesson.
Show answer[Noun/Verb辞书形] までに
2. Explain the meaning of the first example.
Show answerPlease submit the report by Friday.
3. Rewrite the final example using this lesson pattern.
Show answer三十歳さんじゅっさいまでに結婚けっこんしたいです。 ([Noun/Verb辞书形] までに)

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