直到

Until

Level 3Sounds Like zik6 dou3

直到 (zik6 dou3) marks the limit of a continuous state or the point at which a new action finally occurs. It translates to 'until' or 'up to'.

How It Works

直到 (zik6 dou3) is a versatile marker for endpoints in Cantonese.

1. Basic Usage with Time or Events
It can be placed before a simple time noun (e.g., 尋日 cam4 jat6 'yesterday') or a full clause/action (e.g., 佢返嚟 keoi5 faan1 lei4 'he comes back') to show how long a state lasted. For example, 直到而家 (zik6 dou3 ji4 gaa1) means 'until now'.

2. The 'Until... As End' Pattern
To be more precise about the endpoint, Cantonese often uses the frame 直到...為止 (zik6 dou3... wai4 zi2). This literally means 'until [time/event] as the stop'.

3. The 'Not Until' Structure
In Cantonese, the logic for 'not until' requires stating the 'until' part first, then using 先至 (sin1 zi3) before the main verb. Note that 先至 can be shortened to just 先 (sin1) or 至 (zi3) in natural speech. The subject can appear either at the very beginning or right before the main verb.
Structure: ([Subject]) + 直到 [Time/Event] + ([Subject]) + 先至/先/至 + [Verb].

4. 直到 vs 等到
It is important to distinguish between 直到 (zik6 dou3) and 等到 (dang2 dou3). 直到 describes a continuous state lasting up to a point, whereas 等到 is the natural choice when an element of waiting is involved (e.g., 'wait until he arrives').

5. Register and Alternatives

  • 去到 (heoi3 dou3): The most common colloquial alternative in spoken Cantonese.
  • 直到 (zik6 dou3): Neutral and very common in both speech and writing.
  • 到 (dou3): More casual; often used after a verb.
  • 直至 (zik6 zi3): A formal variant of 直到, frequently used in formal writing, news, and announcements.

Examples (5)

  1. 直到今日，我都仲係好掛住佢。

    Until today, I still miss him very much.

    Word by Word: Until today, I all still am very miss him.

    Here, '直到' (zik6 dou3) marks a state (missing someone) that has persisted from the past up to the present moment.

  2. 我直到半夜先至返到屋企。

    I didn't get home until midnight.

    Word by Word: I until midnight only then return-reach home.

    This uses the 'not until' structure. Note that the subject '我' (ngo5) can come before '直到', and '先至' (sin1 zi3) is essential to convey the 'only then' meaning.

  3. 直到佢行埋嚟，我先至認得佢。

    I didn't recognize him until he walked over.

    Word by Word: Until he walk-closer come, I only then recognize him.

    This shows '直到' followed by a clause (him walking over). The particle '先至' (sin1 zi3) marks the point where the action finally happened.

  4. 直到下個禮拜，佢都要返工。

    He has to work until next week.

    Word by Word: Until next week, he all needs return-work.

    Notice the word order: the time limit ('直到下個禮拜') is established before the main action ('返工'). This is the natural Cantonese syntax, unlike English where 'until' often goes at the end.

  5. 直到聽日為止，呢度都唔開門。

    Until tomorrow, this place will not be open.

    Word by Word: Until tomorrow as-end, here all not open door.

    This uses the '直到...為止' (zik6 dou3... wai4 zi2) pattern, which explicitly marks the boundary of the time period.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the Mandarin '才' (cai2) instead of '先' (sin1).

    直到尋晚才食飯。
    直到尋晚先食飯。

    Learners influenced by Mandarin often use '才', but in Cantonese, '先' or '先至' is the natural way to complete the 'until... then' logic.

  • Placing the 'until' phrase at the end of the sentence.

    我唔食飯直到八點。
    直到八點我先食飯。

    Putting 直到八點 first is more natural in Cantonese and it links well with 先. Placing it at the end sounds like English word order.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

直到Level 3Until

Learn This First

To understand '直到' (until), you first need to be familiar with the basic use of '到' as an endpoint marker. It is also helpful to understand how Cantonese expresses time ranges and how the inclusive particle '都' is used to emphasize the duration of a state up to that point.

Words in This Pattern