How to Say "Until" in Chinese

直到

zhídào

The Chinese word for "until" is 直到 (zhídào).

Meaning: before (conj)

Which one should you use?

直到 emphasizes the continuity of a situation up to a specific point, whereas 在……之前 is used specifically to mean "before" a certain time or event.

The phrase 直到 is frequently used alongside negative constructions, such as 没有, to express the meaning "not… until".

zhídào

The word 直到 consists of 直, meaning 'straight' or 'directly', and 到, meaning 'to arrive'. It literally describes a path moving straight toward a destination in time.
The phrase 直到 can sometimes sound quite dramatic or literary in Chinese, similar to saying 'all the way until' in English, rather than a simple temporal marker.
While English uses 'until' as a conjunction, in Chinese, 直到 is often used with the particle 为止 (wéizhǐ) to mean 'up to and until' for extra emphasis.

不，直到现在她都没有恋爱过。
No, until now she has never fallen in love.
This sentence shows how to use 直到 with a negative construction to say 'not… until now'.
Tatoeba #1743568 by sadhen, translation #674473 by Zifre
你可以保管這個行李直到下午三點嗎？
Could you keep this luggage until 3 p.m.?
This sentence demonstrates using 直到 to specify an end time for an action.
Tatoeba #5401617 by egg0073, translation #60037 by CM
我们路上一帆风顺，直到遇上暴风雪。
We made good time until we ran into a blizzard.
This sentence illustrates how 直到 marks the point when a continuous state changes.
Tatoeba #7012155 by basilhan, translation #323552 by CM
直到周五我才能完成这个报告。
Until Friday, I will not be able to complete this report.
我会工作到深夜为止。
I will work until late at night.
我会等你回来再去吃晚饭。
I will wait until you come back to have dinner.
我会等你直到天黑。
I will wait for you until it gets dark.
42 more sentences on Tatoeba

Wei and Xiaowen are discussing a work project deadline.

伟 Wei

这个项目直到明天才截止。
Zhège xiàngmù zhídào míngtiān cái jiézhǐ.
This project isn't due until tomorrow.
晓雯 Xiaowen

太好了，我还需要一点时间。
Tài hǎole, wǒ hái xūyào yīdiǎn shíjiān.
That's great, I still need a little more time.
伟 Wei

那你打算直到什么时候完成？
Nà nǐ dǎsuàn zhídào shénme shíhòu wánchéng?
Then until when do you plan to finish it?
晓雯 Xiaowen

我希望在今晚之前做完。
Wǒ xīwàng zài jīnwǎn zhīqián zuò wán.
I hope to get it done before tonight.

Sources

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