N3 Emphasis, Limitation, and Addition

~まで: meaning, usage and examples

~まで means: even... (to such an extent...).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 子こどもまで働はたらかなければいけないんですか。

   Do even children have to work?

2. あなたまで私わたしを疑うたがうのですか。

   Even you doubt me?

3. 忙いそがしくて、日曜日にちようびまで働はたらきました。

   I was so busy that I even worked on Sunday.

4. 母ははにまで笑わらわれました。

   Even my mother laughed at me.

When to use it

Means 'even' in the sense of 'going as far as'. Use it when something goes beyond what you expected, often adding to a list: 子こどもまで働はたらく 'even children work'. It shows that the situation has reached an extreme. The extra item is often a person or thing you would not expect to be included.

Nuance

Usually surprised, and often negative or complaining, but it can also be positive. Used in speech and writing. まで replaces が and を; に and で stay in front (母ははにまで). Context separates it from まで meaning "until" or "as far as" a place.

Compare

Compare さえ: さえ picks one extreme example to imply the rest (名前なまえさえ書かけない). まで adds one more item on top (雨あめだけでなく風かぜまで). Compare も: も is a plain 'also'; まで adds 'even that'. Do not confuse with the time or place まで 'until / up to'.

Tip: If you can add "on top of everything," まで fits. If you mean "not even the easiest thing," use さえ.