In the N1 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), you will encounter a variety of grammar structures that help express complex ideas. One such structure is ～に至るまで (ni itaru made), which is used to describe the extent or culmination of an event, action, or time period.
🧠 Meaning of ～に至るまで
This grammar structure is used to indicate that something has reached a particular point, extent, or level. The general meaning can be translated as:
- Up until…
- To the point of…
- As far as…
- Including up to…
It is used to show that something, usually a situation or event, has extended to a certain level or reached a significant milestone. This structure is often used to emphasize the extensiveness or culmination of an event or action, typically in formal contexts.
🧩 Structure
- [Noun] + に至るまで
The noun can represent time, location, or action, and the structure often highlights the extensive or final point of the event or action described.
⚠️ Important Notes
- This structure is commonly used in formal or written language.
- It emphasizes long or significant developments, often where something progresses or continues over time or space.
- The grammar is typically used to describe situations that are unexpected or extreme, where the development or action has reached a notable or dramatic point.
- It is not used for casual, everyday actions or events.
📘 Examples
Example 1:
長年に渡る調査の結果、ついに彼の行方がわかった。
(Naganen ni wataru chōsa no kekka, tsuini kare no yukue ga wakatta.)
→ After many years of investigation, they finally discovered his whereabouts.
Example 2:
この問題は、数十年に至るまで解決されなかった。
(Kono mondai wa, sūjū-nen ni itaru made kaiketsu sare nakatta.)
→ This problem remained unresolved for decades.
Example 3:
その計画は、最終的にアメリカに至るまで広がった。
(Sono keikaku wa, saishū-teki ni Amerika ni itaru made hirogatta.)
→ The plan ultimately expanded to the point of reaching America.
Example 4:
彼女はその業界に至るまで、数々の困難を乗り越えてきた。
(Kanojo wa sono gyōkai ni itaru made, kazukazu no konnan o norikoete kita.)
→ She overcame many difficulties, even up to the point of entering that industry.
🔄 Similar Grammar Patterns
| Grammar | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| ～にわたって | Over the course of | Used to indicate an ongoing or continuous action/event |
| ～を通じて | Through / Throughout | Describes actions or events occurring throughout a period |
| ～から～にかけて | From… to… | Indicates a range of time or location |
| ～を限りに | With this as the limit | Marks the end or limit of something |
📝 Usage Tips
- ～に至るまで is typically used to describe situations where something reaches a significant or extreme point.
- It is most commonly found in formal writing or reports, often related to business, research, or historical events.
- You can combine ～に至るまで with verbs such as 至る (reach, arrive at), 続く (continue), 広がる (expand), and others to convey a more detailed sense of progression or culmination.
🎓 Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Formality | High (used in writing, formal speech) |
| Meaning | Up until / To the point of / As far as |
| Function | Shows the extent or culmination of an action, time, or place |
🗣 Practice Time
To practice using ～に至るまで, try incorporating this structure into your sentences. Here are some prompts to help you get started:
- Describe a significant event that took many years to resolve or develop.
- Talk about a process or series of actions that led to a dramatic conclusion or result.
- Use this grammar to talk about a journey or an effort that took place over an extended period of time.
