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  3. Expressing "all the way until" with 直到 ("zhi2dao4")

Expressing "all the way until" with 直到 ("zhi2dao4")

直到 zhídào

Preposition
HSK 3

Structure

直到 + Time / Event ，Subj. + 才 ⋯⋯ 直到 + Time / Event ，Subj. + 都 + 不 / 没 ⋯⋯

Translations

  • until
  • by the time

Definition

表示动作或状态持续到某个时间点或事件，强调一直持续到该点为止。

Indicates that an action or state continues until a certain point in time or event, emphasizing that it continues all the way to that point.

Usage

用于动词或形容词前，后接时间点、事件或地点，表示持续到该点。

Used before verbs or adjectives, followed by a point in time, event, or place, indicating continuation up to that point.

Examples

  • 1 我昨天工作直到晚上十点。 (I worked until ten o'clock last night.)
  • 2 他直到毕业才知道真相。 (He didn't know the truth until graduation.)
  • 3 请直走到红绿灯直到看到银行。 (Go straight until you see the bank at the traffic light.)
  • 4 她直到生病才休息。 (She didn't rest until she got sick.)
  • 5 我们会议直到下午三点才结束。 (Our meeting didn't end until three o'clock in the afternoon.)

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