までに means by; no later than. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express the N4 idea of “by; by the time” in natural Japanese.
This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to express the N4 idea of “by; by the time” in natural Japanese, までに is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics.
What does までに mean?
Use までに when you want to express the N4 idea of “by; by the time” in natural Japanese.
Natural translations include:
- by
- by the time
- indicates time limit
The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on what the grammar point does in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.
How to form までに
Time / verb dictionary form + までに
Examples of the pattern:
- Time
- Time / verb dictionary form
- までに
Pay attention to the word form before the pattern. Many JLPT N4 mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.
When is までに used?
Use までに in situations like:
- explaining a condition, reason, decision, comparison, or time relationship
- making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern
- understanding natural Japanese in conversation or reading
Tone and register:
- neutral unless the grammar itself is marked as casual, humble, honorific, or formal
- Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions
までに example sentences
- 三時までに来てください。 — Please come by three o’clock.
- 金曜日までに宿題を出します。 — I will submit the homework by Friday.
- 寝るまでに薬を飲んでください。 — Please take the medicine before you sleep.
- 来月までに引っ越します。 — I will move by next month.
- 先生が来るまでに準備しましょう。 — Let’s prepare by the time the teacher comes.
Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: condition, timing, limitation, possibility, decision, politeness, contrast, or emphasis.
Nuance of までに
The key nuance is by; by the time in a sentence-specific context.
This matters because までに may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, a possibility, a contrast, or a social relationship.
For example:
- In context, までに helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation.
- Compared with まで, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences.
までに vs まで
Both {jp} and {similar} can appear in related sentences, but they are different.
までに:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- carries the specific nuance explained above
まで:
- is useful for comparison because learners often mix it up
- may use a different form, tone, or sentence focus
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 三時までに来てください。 — Please come by three o’clock.
- Related pattern with まで: compare the form and ask whether the sentence is about timing, condition, ability, decision, contrast, or politeness.
If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English.
Common mistakes with までに
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using it with the wrong verb, noun, or adjective form
- Confusing it with まで because the English translation can look similar
- Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence context
A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel.
Is までに on the JLPT?
Yes. までに is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.
Practice questions for までに
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one sentence using the basic pattern.
- Change the sentence into polite or casual style if possible.
- Compare it with the related pattern from the comparison section.
Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.
Learn までに with Kanjiru
If you want to review までに together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here: