Definition
直到 (zhí dào) is a verb meaning 'until' — it emphasizes that an action or state continues right up to a specific point in time, often used with 才 (cái) to mean 'not until'. It's more specific than 到 (dào 'until, to'), which is broader and can also mean 'arrive at a place'; 直到 is used only for temporal endpoints.
verb
(verb, temporal) untilup to (a point in time)
Easily confused
- 知道zhī dàosound-aliketo know (a fact, information); to be aware of
- 指导zhǐ dǎosound-aliketo guide; to direct; to coach
Examples
- 直到。Wǒ zhí dào zuótiān cái zhīdào zhè jiàn shì.I didn't find out about this until yesterday.
- 直到。Tā zhí dào wǎnshàng shí diǎn cái shuìjiào.He didn't go to sleep until 10 p.m.
- 直到，。zhí dào xiànzài, wǒ hái méi chīfàn.Until now, I still haven't eaten.
Grammar
Browse more HSK 3 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.