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JLPT N5 grammar comparison

へ (direction) vs まで (until; as far as)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

The difference

From the まで (until; as far as) lesson

へ (direction): 駅へ行く = go to the station (direction); 駅まで行く = go as far as the station (end of the journey).

Side by side

へ (direction)

e (direction) · JLPT N5

Meaning
"to / toward" — direction of movement. Pronounced え.
Formation
Place + へ + 行きます／来ます／帰りますPlace + へ + の + noun (日本への手紙)

  1. 日本へ行きます。

    にほんへ いきます。

    I am going to Japan.

  2. 駅へ歩きます。

    えきへ あるきます。

    I walk to the station.

Full lesson on へ (direction)

まで (until; as far as)

made (until, as far as) · JLPT N5

Meaning
"until / up to / as far as" — an end point in time or place.
Formation
Time + まで (三時まで)Place + まで (駅まで)N から N まで (from N to N)

  1. 銀行は三時までです。

    ぎんこうは さんじまでです。

    The bank is open until three.

  2. 東京から大阪まで新幹線で行きます。

    とうきょうから おおさかまで しんかんせんで いきます。

    I go from Tokyo to Osaka by bullet train.

Full lesson on まで (until; as far as)

Frequently asked questions

When do you use まで (until; as far as) instead of へ (direction)?

駅へ行く = go to the station (direction); 駅まで行く = go as far as the station (end of the journey).