Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 2: 3/17

までも
Even, To even, To the extent of

Structure
Verb[る]+ まで()
Noun + まで()
Details
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使用域 一般
Information
The 副助詞(ふくじょし) (adverbial particle) まで is used in the same way as many other adverbial particles, in that it is highlighting that the statement that comes after it as important in some way. However, unlike our first look at まで, which discussed its use as ‘until’, this use of まで has the nuance of ‘even’, or ‘to the extent’. It can be used after verbs or nouns.
  • 私(わたし)お金(かね)払(はら)っまで旅行(りょこう)行(い)きたくない
    I would not go to the extent of paying money to go traveling.
  • お腹(なか)すきすぎ、大(だい)嫌(きら)いバナナまで食(た)べ
    Because I was so hungry, I even ate a banana, which I hate.
Although using まで as ‘even’ may seem different to ‘until’, they are essentially the same thing in Japanese. This is because まで always means ‘(A) まで, (B)’, where (A) is the ‘limitation/extent’, and (B) is the ‘noteworthy factor’. This ‘noteworthy factor’ will usually be a descriptive word/phrase, such as a verb, adjective, or explanation.
  • バイクまで持(も)っている
    You even have a bike?
  • 一回(いっかい)笑(わら)ったら、面白(おもしろ)くない話(はな)しまでおかしくなる
    Once you start laughing, even uninteresting topics become funny.
Fun Fact
The particle is sometimes grouped together with まで, when the meaning is ‘even’. This just adds emphasis to the fact that the event is somewhat surprising, or that the result is satisfying.
  • 私(わたし)スポーツカーまで持(も)っています
    I even have a sports car.
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夜中(よなか)まで日本語(にほんご)文法(ぶんぽう)勉強(べんきょう)ている
I'm studying Japanese grammar even in the middle of the night.
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お腹(なか)空(す)いているとき、熊(くま)果実(かじつ)まで食(た)べる
Bears will even go as far as to eat berries when they are hungry.
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お金(かね)払(はら)ってまでテスト受(う)けたくない
I don't want to go to the extent of paying money to take the test.