までに

JLPT Level: N4
Meanings

by a certain time

by the time ~

before ~ (a deadline)

Usage

Noun + までに

Verb (dictionary form) + までに

Time expression + までに

Explanation
までに marks a deadline, meaning that something should be completed or occurs before a specific time. It emphasizes the point in time by which an action must happen, not the duration up to that point. It’s commonly used for tasks, deadlines, and promised responses; it can refer to both future times and times already established in conversation.
明日までに返事をください。
あしたまでにへんじをください。

Please reply by tomorrow.

会議は三時までに終わる予定です。
かいぎはさんじまでにおわるよていです。

The meeting is scheduled to end by three o'clock.

このレポートは来週の金曜日までに提出してください。
このレポートはらいしゅうのきんようびまでにていしゅつしてください。

Please submit this report by next Friday.

今日は六時までに家に着く予定です。
きょうはろくじまでにいえにつくよていです。

I plan to be home by six o'clock today.