The basic meaning of まで is "until/up to," but at N1 it branches into five completely different patterns.
① してまで / までして: To the Extreme of…
Expresses going to extreme lengths to achieve something — "even doing this much":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 徹夜してまで勉強する。 | Study even to the point of pulling an all-nighter. |
| 借金してまで旅行に行くつもりはない。 | I don't intend to go on a trip to the point of borrowing money. |
Connection: Verb て-form + まで / まで + して Nuance: "Going this far," emphasizes extreme measures.
② ないまでも: Even If Not… At Least
Expresses settling for less — "even if we can't achieve A, at least B":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 給料は倍増しないまでも、今よりはましだ。 | Even if the salary doesn't double, it's better than now. |
| 全員は来ないまでも、三分の一は来てほしい。 | Even if not everyone comes, I'd like at least a third. |
Connection: Verb ない form + までも Nuance: Lowering the bar, minimum acceptable standard.
③ までもない: No Need To…
Expresses it's unnecessary to go that far — "no need for all that":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 簡単な故障だから、修理に出すまでもない。 | It's a simple problem, so there's no need to send it for repair. |
| 言うまでもないことだ。 | It goes without saying. |
| わざわざ行くまでもない。 | There's no need to go out of your way. |
Connection: Verb dictionary form + までもない Common: 言うまでもない (needless to say), 行くまでもない (no need to go).
④ までだ: Merely / Just… That's All
Expresses nothing more, nothing less — "I just did this, that's all":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 僕は言いたいことだけ言ったまでだ。 | I merely said what I wanted to say, that's all. |
| 事実を伝えたまでだ。 | I simply conveyed the facts, nothing more. |
Connection: Verb た-form + までだ Nuance: Deflecting responsibility — "I didn't do anything wrong."
Second meaning: If worst comes to worst…
After a conditional, までだ means "I'll just do this" — worst-case plan:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 落ちたら、また受けるまでだ。 | If I fail, I'll just take it again. |
⑤ ばそれまでだ: If That Happens, It's All Over
Expresses once something happens, everything ends — warning/finality:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 親に知られたらそれまでだ。 | If my parents find out, it's all over. |
| 信用を失えばそれまでだ。 | If you lose trust, that's the end. |
Connection: Verb ば/たら form + それまでだ Nuance: "There's no coming back from that."
Quick Reference
| Pattern | Meaning | Key Concept |
|---|---|---|
| してまで | Even going as far as | Extreme means |
| ないまでも | Even if not, at least | Minimum standard |
| までもない | No need to | Unnecessary |
| までだ | Merely / just | That's all |
| ばそれまでだ | Then it's over | No turning back |
Summary
- 「してまで」= Going to extreme lengths (even doing X)
- 「ないまでも」= Settling for less (at least)
- 「までもない」= No need to go that far
- 「までだ」= Merely that / at worst, I'll just…
- 「ばそれまでだ」= If that happens, it's game over
Self-Check
1. Translate: 「言うまでもないことだ。」
Show Answer
"It goes without saying." までもない = no need to do it = needless to say.
2. What tone does 「借金してまで」 carry?
Show Answer
"Even going as far as borrowing money" — emphasizes the extreme nature of the action. してまで expresses going to an excessive or extreme degree.
3. What does 「親にバレたらそれまでだ」 mean?
Show Answer
"If my parents find out, it's all over (game over)." ばそれまでだ = once it happens, there's no recovery.