What is “까지”?

“까지” is a particle in Korean used to indicate:

• The endpoint of a range (time, place, or situation).
• An addition to the current state (emphasizing “even” or “to the extent”).

It frequently appears in sentences describing boundaries, limits, or emphasis.

1. Usage

1) Indicating an Addition (Emphasis)

“까지” can emphasize something being added to the current state or situation. In English, it often translates to “even” or “as well.”

• 동생이 숙제를 도와줬고 청소까지 해 줬어요. (My younger sibling helped me with my homework and even cleaned.)
• 그 배우는 연기를 잘하고 노래까지 잘해요. (That actor acts well and even sings well.)
• 점심을 같이 먹었는데 저녁까지 같이 먹었어. (We ate lunch together and even dinner too.)

2) Indicating the Endpoint of a Range

“까지” is used to show the final point or limit of a range in terms of time, location, or situation.

• 학교에서 집까지 걸어갔어요. (I walked from school to home.)
• 회의는 오후 1시부터 오후 3시까지 있어요. (The meeting goes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
• 4월부터 6월까지는 문을 닫습니다. (We will be closed starting from April until June.)
• 어제 밤늦게까지 시험 준비했어. (I prepared for the exam until late last night.)

3) Combined Forms of “까지”

“까지” can combine with other particles to expand its meaning.

• 여기까지는 알겠어요. (까지 + 는) – I understand up to here.
• 그 얘기는 친구한테까지 퍼졌어요. (한테 + 까지) – That story even spread to my friend.
• 오늘까지만 일할 거예요. (까지 + 만) – I’ll work only until today.
• 물이 제 팔에까지 튀었어요. (에 + 까지) – The water splashed even on to my arms.
• 학교에서까지 게임을 해요? (에서 + 까지) – Do you even play games at school?

4. Practice Quiz

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “까지”:

1. ______ (오늘) 일할 거예요.
    (I’ll work only until today.)
2. 회의는 오후 1시부터 ______ (오후 3시) 있어요.
   (The meeting goes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
3. 학교에서 ______ (집) 걸어갔어요.
   (I walked from school to home.)
4. 물이 제 ______ (팔) 튀었어요.
   (The water splashed even on to my arms.)
5. 그 배우는 연기를 잘하고 ______ (노래) 잘해요.
   (That actor acts well and even sings well.)

5. Answers 

• 오늘까지만 일할 거예요.
• 회의는 오후 1시부터 오후 3시까지 있어요. 
• 학교에서 집까지 걸어갔어요. 
• 물이 제 팔에까지 튀었어요. 
• 그 배우는 연기를 잘하고 노래까지 잘해요.