〜てまで

Go So Far as to

Level 4Sounds Like temade

〜てまで (or 〜までして for nouns) highlights an extreme measure taken to reach a result. It implies the action is 'going too far' or is 'beyond common sense.'

How It Works

The expression 〜てまで is used when the speaker feels that the method being used to achieve something is extreme or unreasonable. It is often translated as 'go so far as to' or 'even to the point of.'

Key Characteristics:

  • Nuance of Criticism: It usually implies that the action is excessive or that the cost (physical, moral, or financial) is too high for the goal.
  • Negative Contexts: When used in the negative form (〜てまで…ない), it expresses a limit: 'I don't want to do X if it requires going as far as Y.'
  • Subject Consistency: The person performing the extreme action and the person seeking the goal must be the same.

Formations:

  • Verbs: て-form + まで (e.g., 借金（しゃっきん）してまで - going so far as to borrow money).
  • Nouns: Noun + までして (e.g., 借金までして).
  • Emphasis: For extra emphasis, verbs can use 〜てまでして (e.g., 嘘（うそ）をついてまでして).

Examples (4)

  1. 借金してまで、あんな高い車を買うなんて信じられない。

    I can't believe he went so far as to borrow money just to buy such an expensive car.

    Word by Word: Borrowing money even to that point, such an expensive car buying thing is unbelievable.

    The speaker is criticizing the extreme measure (borrowing money) taken for a luxury item.

  2. 親に嘘をついてまで、彼と旅行に行きたくない。

    I don't want to go on a trip with him to the extent of lying to my parents.

    Word by Word: To parents lies telling even to that point, with him trip to want to go not.

    This shows a personal boundary: the goal (the trip) is not worth the extreme action (lying).

  3. 体を壊してまで働く必要はありません。

    There is no need to work to the point of ruining your health.

    Word by Word: Body breaking even to that point work necessity does not exist.

    Here, the speaker suggests that ruining one's health is an excessive price to pay for work.

  4. カンニングまでして良い点数を取りたいとは思わない。

    I don't want to get a good grade if it means going so far as to cheat.

    Word by Word: Cheating even doing so far good score want to take that way think not.

    Uses the 'Noun + までして' form to show that cheating is an unacceptable extreme.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 〜てまで to express a strong, positive determination.

    合格したいから、寝ないでまで勉強します。
    合格したいから、寝ないででも勉強します。

    〜てまで usually implies the action is 'too much' or 'unreasonable.' To express a positive 'I'll do whatever it takes' determination, use 〜てでも instead.

  • Using the wrong form for nouns.

    借金てまで車を買った。
    借金までして車を買った。

    Nouns cannot attach directly to 'てまで'. You must use 'までして' for nouns.

How It Connects

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

〜てまでLevel 4Go So Far as to

Learn This First

To understand '〜てまで', learners must be comfortable with the 'て' form of verbs and the basic particle 'まで'. This pattern combines these to express that someone goes to an extreme extent or takes a surprising measure to achieve something.

Words in This Pattern

迄