〜までに
Formation
Meaning
Indicates a time limit. It is used when talking about doing something within a given time period or before a specific time/date.
Note
Indicates a deadline or the point in time by which an action must be completed. Unlike 'まで' (until), which describes a continuous action or state lasting up to a certain point, 'までに' describes a single action that happens once at some point before the limit. For example, '5時まで待つ' means waiting continuously until 5, while '5時までに来る' means arriving sometime before or at 5.
Examples
授業が始まるまでに、教室に入ってください。
Please enter the classroom by the time the class starts.
日本に行くまでに、もっと漢字を覚えたいです。
I want to memorize more kanji by the time I go to Japan.
明日までに、このレポートを終わらせなければなりません。
I must finish this report by tomorrow.
５時までに、ここに戻ってきてください。
Please come back here by 5 o'clock.
次の会議までに、資料を準備しておきます。
I'll prepare the materials by the next meeting.
寝るまでに、この本を読み終えたいです。
I want to finish reading this book by the time I go to sleep.