Have you ever felt a mini panic when a boss or a teacher mentions a deadline?
You might be thinking, “Do I need to finish at that time, or just make sure it’s done before then?”

That’s where までに (made ni) comes in to save your schedule.

までに is an essential N4 grammar point that means “by” or “no later than.”
It is your best friend for talking about deadlines, appointments, and making sure you do not miss the last train.

Whether you are finishing homework, submitting a report, or meeting a friend,　understanding までに helps you communicate timing clearly and confidently.

Let’s learn how to set clear deadlines in Japanese and manage your time like a pro!

まで (made) vs までに (made ni)
Both まで and までに are related to time, but they describe actions in very different ways.

まで (made)
まで focuses on continuation.
An action continues up to a certain point in time.

5時まで働きます。
5じ まで はたらきます。
goji made hatarakimasu.
I will work until 5:00.

までに (made ni)
までに focuses on a deadline.
The action must be completed at some point before that time.

5時までに帰ります。
5じ までに かえります。
goji made ni kaerimasu.
I will go home by 5:00.

Using までに with time length
Be careful when talking about length of time.
You cannot use までに directly with a time length such as “2 hours” or “3 days.”
までに can only be used with a specific point in time, like a clock time or a date.

× Incorrect
2時間までに終わらせます。
にじかん まで に おわらせます
nijikan made ni owarasemasu.
(This does not make sense.)

○ Correct
2時間以内に終わらせます。
にじかん いない に おわらせます。
nijikan inai ni owarasemasu.
I will finish it within 2 hours.

○ Correct
5時までに終わらせます。
ごじ までに おわらせます。
goji made ni owarasemasu.
I will finish it by 5:00.

明日の午後3時までに宿題を出してください。
あした の ごご さんじ までに しゅくだい を だして ください。
ashita no gogo sanji made ni shukudai wo dashite kudasai.
Please submit your homework no later than 3 p.m. tomorrow.

会議が始まるまでに資料を準備します。
かいぎ が はじまる までに しりょう を じゅんび します。
kaigi ga hajimaru made ni shiryou wo junbi shimasu.
I will prepare the materials by the time the meeting starts.

暗くなるまでに帰りましょう。
くらく なる までに かえりましょう。
kuraku naru made ni kaerimashou.
Let’s go home by the time it gets dark.

日本へ行くまでに漢字を100個覚えます。
にほん へ いく までに かんじ を ひゃっこ おぼえます。
nihon he iku made ni kanji wo hyakko oboemasu.
I will memorize 100 kanji by the time I go to Japan.

映画が始まるまでにトイレに行っておきましょう。
えいが が はじまる までに といれ に いって おきましょう。
eiga ga hajimaru made ni toire ni itte okimashou.
Let’s go to the restroom by the time the movie starts.

これ、私の死ぬまでにやりたいことリスト。
これ、わたし の しぬ までに やりたい こと りすと。
kore, watashi no shinu made ni yaritai koto risuto.
This is my list of things I want to do before I die.

<Conversation Example>
A: このレポート、いつまでに出せばいいですか。
この れぽーと、いつ までに だせば いい です か。
kono repooto, itsu made ni daseba ii desu ka.
By when should I submit this report.

B: 来週の月曜日までにお願いします。
らいしゅう の げつようび までに おねがい します。
raishuu no getsuyoubi made ni onegai shimasu.
By next Monday, please.

• Grammar Point: までに (made ni)
  
• JLPT Level: N4
• Meaning: By, by the time, no later than
  
• Quick Explanation: Use までに when you want to set a deadline. It means an action must be completed at some point before a specific time.
  
  
  

So that’s how we use までに.
It is perfect for deadlines, goals, and time management in daily life.

JLPTの試験が始まるまでに、たくさん復習しましょう！
jlpt の しけん が はじまる までに、たくさん ふくしゅう しましょう。
jlpt no shiken ga hajimaru made ni, takusan fukushuu shimashou.
Let’s review a lot by the time the JLPT exam starts.

Now it’s your turn.
Try making your own sentence with までに and set a clear goal for yourself!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫✨

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