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March 24, 2026
直到()zhídào(zhi2dao4)
直到 (zhí dào) means 'until' or 'up to' in English. It is used to indicate a time or condition that continues to a certain point. Commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, it can connect clauses to show a limit or endpoint.
Frequency#662DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
The concept of time in Chinese culture emphasizes continuity and patience, which is reflected in the use of 直到. This word can often be heard in conversations about work deadlines or personal goals.
Memory Tip
Think of 直 (zhí), which means 'straight,' symbolizing a straight path leading up to a destination, and 到 (dào), meaning 'arrive.' Picture yourself walking straight (直到) until you arrive at your goal.
Meanings of 直到
zhídào(zhi2dao4)
1until
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About 直到
直到Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 直到
Podcast: 直到
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AI Study Notes for 直到
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 直 (zhí), which means 'straight,' symbolizing a straight path leading up to a destination, and 到 (dào), meaning 'arrive.' Picture yourself walking straight (直到) until you arrive at your goal.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 直到 with 直到…才 (zhídào...cái), which implies that something only happens after a condition is met. This phrase can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more common in casual speech.
HSK Study Tips
While 直到 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is useful for learners at HSK 3 and above as it helps to form complex sentences. Focus on practicing its use in different contexts to master its meaning.
Cultural Note
The concept of time in Chinese culture emphasizes continuity and patience, which is reflected in the use of 直到. This word can often be heard in conversations about work deadlines or personal goals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often omit the second character, saying '我等到五点' instead of '我等直到五点.' The first is incorrect because it lacks the necessary context provided by 直到.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 直到
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Usage Notes for 直到
Usage of 直到Grammar Tip
直到 is used to indicate a point in time or an event that something continues up to or until it happens. It can also imply that the action or state is ongoing until that point.
1
我一直等到他来了。
I waited until he came.
Cultural Notes for 直到
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of time in Chinese culture emphasizes continuity and patience, which is reflected in the use of 直到. This word can often be heard in conversations about work deadlines or personal goals.
Frequently Asked Questions about 直到
You can say, '我会等你直到五点。' (Wǒ huì děng nǐ zhídào wǔ diǎn.) which means 'I will wait for you until 5 o'clock.'
Yes, 直到 can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, be mindful of the surrounding vocabulary to maintain the appropriate tone.
直到 indicates a time or condition, while 直到才 emphasizes that something will only occur after a specific point is reached.
