-까지

Korean

Alternative forms

ᄭᆞ지 (kkaji) – Early Modern

Etymology

First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as Middle Korean ᄭᆞ자ᇰ〮 (Yale: skòcáng), from ㅅ (Yale: -s, genitive marker) + ᄀᆞ자ᇰ〮 (Yale: kòcáng, “very, extremely”).

Pronunciation

(SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [k͈a̠d͡ʑi]
Phonetic hangul: [까지]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization^?	kkaji
Revised Romanization (translit.)^?	kkaji
McCune–Reischauer^?	kkaji
Yale Romanization^?	kkaci

Particle

까지 • (-kkaji)

(generally) until, till, by (a time), up to
1. Used to illustrate the extent of a finished action or situation.
  - 나는 한 시부터 늦게까지 공부했어요.
    naneun han sibuteo neutgekkaji gongbuhaesseoyo.
    I studied from one o’clock until late.
  - 매리가 부산에서 서울까지 열차로 갔어요.
    Maeriga Busaneseo Seoulkkaji yeolcharo gasseoyo.
    Mary went as far as/to Seoul from Busan by train.
2. Used to illustrate to what extent an action will continue.
  - 일년 더 걸려도 서울대에 입학할 때까지 공부하기로 결정했어요.
    illyeon deo geollyeodo Seouldaee iphakhal ttaekkaji gongbuhagiro gyeoljeonghaesseoyo.
    Even if it takes one more year I have decided that I will study until I get into Seoul National University.
3. Used to illustrate the degree or intensity of a situation.
  - 존이 동우를 이렇게까지 좋아할 줄 몰랐어요.
    Joni Dong'ureul ireokekkaji joahal jul mollasseoyo.
    I had no idea how much John liked Dongwoo.

Usage notes

Used after nouns, noun phrases, nominalized verbs in 기 (gi): form, as well as adjectives in 게 (ge) form.

References

표준국어대사전 (accessed 2008-01-03), “까지”, in (please provide the title of the work)‎, archived from the original on 2006-12-30
Daum.net Korean-English Dictionary (accessed 2008-01-03), “까지”, in (please provide the title of the work)‎, archived from the original on 2008-02-04

-까지