Verb phrasesHSK 4
Expressing "until" with 到
Use 到 after a verb to express 'until,' marking the time or event that an action lasts up to. Add 一直 before the verb for emphasis on ongoing duration, and note that the verb is typically a single syllable.
Structure
Subj. (+ 一直) + Verb + 到 + Time / Event
一直 emphasizes ongoing duration; verbs are mostly single-syllable.
Examples
- 你们要玩到几点？Nǐmen yào wán dào jǐ diǎn?When will you be done playing?
- 我们在酒吧一直聊到半夜。Wǒmen zài jiǔbā yīzhí liáo dào bànyè.We were chatting in the bar until midnight.
- 你弟弟要在我们家住到什么时候？Nǐ dìdi yào zài wǒmen jiā zhù dào shénme shíhou?Your younger brother is going to stay in our house until when?
- 昨天的会一直开到晚上九点。Zuótiān de huì yīzhí kāi dào wǎnshang jiǔ diǎn.Yesterday's meeting lasted until 9 pm.
- 他昨天一天都在打游戏，一直打到他妈妈回家。Tā zuótiān yī tiān dōu zài dǎ yóuxì, yīzhí dǎ dào tā māma huí jiā.He was playing computer games all day yesterday. He didn't stop until his mother came home.