1. up to the point in time or the event mentioned
直到（某個時間點或事件發生）
The store is open until 9 PM.
這家商店營業到晚上九點。
We waited until the rain stopped.
我們一直等到雨停。
He lived in London until 2020.
他在倫敦住到2020年。
Until Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
until
preposition
快速理解
What does "Until" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Until"?
表示某個動作或狀態持續到某個特定時間點或事件發生為止。
- 1
時間終點
EN: up to the point in time or the event mentioned
翻譯: 直到某個時間點或事件發生為止。
- 2
條件滿足
EN: used to say that something does not happen before a certain time or event, and then it happens
翻譯: 用於表示在某個時間點或事件發生之前某事不會發生，之後才會發生。
- 3
持續狀態
EN: continuing as far as a specified place or time
翻譯: 持續到某個特定地點或時間。
小提醒：注意「until」後接的是「動作或狀態的終點」，中文常對應「直到...為止」，但中文句子結構可能不同，需避免直譯。
發音（How to Pronounce "Until" in English）
How to pronounce "Until" in English?"Until" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Until" from YouTube Videos
Why is social media actually dumb.
meiqiii
“it's really interesting because I've not been on Tik Tok for like I think 2 years, so like I never heard this term- girls girl and guys girl- until like I think someone said it”
(1 out of 273)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Until"?How does "Until" change by context?
2. used to indicate the time when something will happen, become true, etc.
用於表示某事將發生、成真等的時間
We won't start until everyone arrives.
要等到所有人都到齊，我們才會開始。
You can't leave until you finish your homework.
你必須做完功課才能離開。
The results won't be announced until next week.
結果要到下週才會公布。
3. up to the time that
直到…的時候
Stay here until I come back.
待在這裡，直到我回來。
She didn't realize her mistake until it was too late.
她直到為時已晚才意識到自己的錯誤。
We played outside until it got dark.
我們在外面玩到天黑。
4. used in negative sentences to mean 'before'
用於否定句，意為「在…之前」
I didn't know about it until yesterday.
我直到昨天才知道這件事。
They didn't meet until the conference.
他們直到會議時才見面。
He didn't reply until the next day.
他直到隔天才回覆。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Until"?How to make natural sentences with "Until"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| until + time | 直到某個時間點 | We waited until midnight. (我們一直等到午夜。) |
| until + clause | 直到某個事件發生 | I won't leave until you arrive. (在你到達之前，我不會離開。) |
| not... until... | 直到…才… | She didn't realize the truth until it was too late. (她直到為時已晚才意識到真相。) |
| from... until... | 從…直到… | The store is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (這家店從上午九點營業到下午六點。) |
| up until + time/event | 一直到某個時間/事件為止 | Up until yesterday, I thought he was reliable. (一直到昨天為止，我都認為他很可靠。) |
用法說明
How is "Until" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Until"?
until + 時間點 vs until + 事件
- until + 時間點 表示動作或狀態持續到某個「具體的時間點」為止。
- until + 事件 表示動作或狀態持續到某個「事件發生」為止。
- 在 until + 事件 的結構中，通常使用子句（如
until something happens）或動名詞（如until doing something），而不是不定詞（to do）。 - 在否定句（如
not... until）中，表示「直到…才…」，強調事件發生的起始點。
對比例句： EN: Wait here until 5 o'clock. 翻譯: 在這裡等到五點鐘。
EN:Wait here until the meeting ends.
翻譯:在這裡等到會議結束。
EN:He didn't start the project until last week.
翻譯:他直到上週才開始這個專案。
EN:He won't leave until finishing the report.
翻譯:他完成報告前不會離開。
總結建議
在表達「直到…為止」時，until 後面接具體時間點或描述事件的子句/動名詞，而不用不定詞（to do）。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Until" and similar words?How to choose "Until" vs alternatives?
until vs by
"until" 強調動作或狀態持續到某個時間點為止；"by" 則表示在某個時間點之前完成動作。
until vs till
"until" 與 "till" 意思相同，但 "until" 較正式，"till" 較口語。
until vs up to
"until" 專指時間上的持續；"up to" 可指時間、數量或程度，且常暗示最大值。
口語用法
How is "Until" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Until"?
引述
在口語中，'until' 常用來引述一個時間點或事件，作為對話的參考基準。 EN: I didn't realize how late it was until you called. 翻譯: 直到你打電話來，我才意識到已經這麼晚了。
EN:Just wait here until the rain stops, okay?
翻譯:就在這裡等到雨停，好嗎？
語氣強調
為了強調時間的長度或事件的延遲，說話者會重讀 'until' 或拉長其發音。 EN: I waited until the VERY last minute. 翻譯: 我一直等到最後一刻。
EN:You mean you're not leaving until tomorrow?
翻譯:你的意思是你要到明天才走？
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適字眼時，'until' 有時會與 'up' 或 'till' 結合，作為短暫的停頓填充詞。 EN: We can keep it open until... uh, let's say 8 PM. 翻譯: 我們可以一直開放到...呃，晚上八點好了。
EN:The offer is valid up until... the end of the month.
翻譯:這個優惠有效期一直到...月底。
正式寫作注意：在正式書寫中（如學術論文、商業報告），應避免使用口語縮寫 'till' 或 'up until' 這類較不嚴謹的組合，建議統一使用 'until'。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Until"?What fixed phrases with "Until" should I remember?
until now
until now
直到現在
until then
until then
直到那時
until recently
until recently
直到最近
until further notice
until further notice
直到另行通知
until the end
until the end
直到最後
until the last minute
until the last minute
直到最後一刻
not... until...
not... until...
直到...才...
wait until
wait until + clause
等到...
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Until"?Which "Until" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I will wait here until you will come back.
✓I will wait here until you come back.
在時間子句（如 until 引導的句子）中，即使主句是未來時態，子句也應使用現在時態來表示未來。
×I studied until 2 AM in the morning.
✓I studied until 2 AM.
"AM" 已經表示上午，因此 "in the morning" 是多餘的，應避免重複。
×I didn't see him until next week.
✓I won't see him until next week.
當描述一個從現在開始到未來某個時間點才發生的動作時，主句應使用未來時態（will）或現在時態表示未來，而不是過去時態。
×Wait here until I will return.
✓Wait here until I return.
在祈使句後接 until 引導的時間子句時，子句同樣應使用現在時態，而非未來時態。
×I was tired until I took a nap.
✓I was tired until I took a nap, then I felt better.
單獨使用 "I was tired until I took a nap" 語意不清，因為它暗示小睡後仍然疲倦。通常需要補充後續狀態的改變，或改用 "before" 來更清晰地表達。更自然的說法是 "I was tired before I took a nap"。
×We played games until we didn't finish our homework.
✓We played games instead of finishing our homework.
"until" 用於表示某個動作或狀態持續到某個時間點或事件發生。這裡想表達的是「我們玩遊戲而沒有完成作業」，這是一個對比或替代關係，應使用 "instead of" 或 "without"，而非 "until"。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Until"?What are tense/participle forms of "Until"?