Pattern: 到……为止
到……为止
Use 到……为止 to express a time limit or endpoint
Place a time expression or event between 到 and 为止 to mark an endpoint meaning "up until" or "by (a certain point)." It sets a clear boundary or deadline for the action or state described in the sentence.
为止 literally means "as the stopping point." The pattern often appears at the beginning of a sentence as a temporal frame, or within the sentence to set a deadline. Very common fixed phrases include 到目前为止 (up until now) and 到此为止 (up to this point / that is all).
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Pattern: 到……为止 (到……为止)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 到……为止 pattern
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Understanding 到……为止
The pattern 到……为止 is essential for marking clear endpoints and deadlines in Chinese. When you say 到目前为止, you are establishing "up to this moment" as your frame of reference — everything you say next describes the state of affairs from the beginning up to now. When you say 到此为止, you are drawing a line and saying "this is where it stops." This pattern is extremely common in business, academic, and formal contexts where precision about time boundaries matters. It appears in project updates (到上个月为止，我们已经完成了80%), presentations (我的报告到此为止), and daily conversation (到昨天为止，我还没收到他的消息). The versatility comes from what you place between 到 and 为止 — it can be a specific time (昨天, 上个月), a general reference (目前, 现在), or even an event (他毕业). This single pattern replaces many English constructions: "up until," "by," "as of," and "through."
Key Points
- 到 + Time/Event + 为止 = "up until / by / as of" — marks an endpoint.
- 到目前为止 (up until now) — the most common fixed usage.
- 到此为止 (up to this point / that's all) — used to conclude speeches, reports, discussions.
- Can express deadlines: 到这个月底为止 (by the end of this month).
- Often appears at the beginning of a sentence as a temporal frame.
- 为止 literally means "as the stopping point" — it makes the endpoint explicit and precise.
The phrase 到此为止 is a standard way to conclude formal presentations and speeches in Chinese. You will hear it at the end of business meetings, academic lectures, and official announcements. It is polite, clear, and signals that the speaker respects the audience's time.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
到目前为止，他还没有出过什么错。
Up until now, he hasn't made any mistakes.
我的报告到此为止，谢谢！
My report concludes here — thank you!
到昨天为止，这个项目已经完成了一半。
As of yesterday, this project was already half completed.
到上个月为止，我们一共卖了三千多本书。
By the end of last month, we had sold over three thousand books in total.
到现在为止，我还没有收到他的回复。
Up to now, I still haven't received his reply.
这件事到这里为止吧，不要再讨论了。
Let's stop this matter here — don't discuss it any further.
到今年年底为止，公司计划招聘五十名员工。
By the end of this year, the company plans to have hired fifty employees.
Common Mistakes
The order is fixed: 到 comes first, then the time, then 为止. Do not reverse the order.
到……为止 marks an endpoint of a duration or accumulated result — it does not introduce a future plan. The sentence after it should describe what has happened up to that point.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Memorize the most common fixed phrase first: 到目前为止 (up until now). You will use it constantly.
Use 到此为止 to formally end presentations — it is polite and professional.
The time between 到 and 为止 can be very flexible: specific dates, general periods, or even events.
Practice by reporting on progress: 到这个星期为止，我已经学了二十个语法点。
Homework
Write five sentences using 到……为止: (1) a progress report on your Chinese studies, (2) concluding a short speech, (3) reporting on a project deadline, (4) describing what has happened up to now in your day, and (5) setting a boundary for a discussion.