How to say “all the way until” in Chinese with 直到

直到 (zhídào) + Time / Event,Subj. + 才 (cái) …

直到 (zhí dào) — all the way until

HSK 3Prepositions

Rule structure

直到 (zhídào) means "until" and emphasizes that a situation continued up to a specific point in time or event.

Examples

直到他来,我才走。

Zhídào tā lái, wǒ cái zǒu.

I left only after he came.

他工作直到晚上。

Tā gōngzuò zhídào wǎnshàng.

He worked until the evening.

直到晚上他才回家。

Zhídào wǎnshang tā cái huíjiā.

He only came home in the evening.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you say “all the way until” in Chinese with 直到?

Use the structure: 直到 (zhídào) + Time / Event,Subj. + 才 (cái) …. For example: 直到他来,我才走。 — “I left only after he came”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

直到他来,我才走。 — “I left only after he came”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.

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