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JLPT N5 grammar comparison

に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object) vs まで (until; as far as)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

The difference

From the まで (until; as far as) lesson

に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object): に marks a single point (at three); まで means continuing until that point.

Side by side

に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object)

ni (time, place, recipient) · JLPT N5

Meaning
"at / on / in / to / for" — a point in time, destination, place where something exists, recipient.
Formation
Time + に (三時に、日曜日に)Place + に + あります／います／住んでいますPlace + に + 行きます／来ます／帰りますPerson + に + あげます／書きます／電話します／会います

  1. 六時に起きます。

    ろくじに おきます。

    I get up at six.

  2. 机の上に本があります。

    つくえの うえに ほんが あります。

    There is a book on the desk.

Full lesson on に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object)

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 に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object)?

に marks a single point (at three); まで means continuing until that point.