Japanese Range Particles: How to Use Kara and Made
The particles から (kara) and まで (made) are a powerful pair that allow you to define a range. They correspond closely to the English words "from" and "until" (or "to"). You can use them for time, places, and more.
They are often used together in the `〜から〜まで` pattern, but they also work perfectly well on their own.
から (kara) - The Starting Point "From"
から (kara) marks the starting point or origin of something.
1. Starting Time:
会議は９時からです。(Kaigi wa kuji kara desu.)
The meeting is from 9 o'clock.
2. Starting Place:
家から歩いてきました。(Ie kara aruite kimashita.)
I walked from home.
まで (made) - The Ending Point "Until" / "To"
まで (made) marks the end point or the limit of a range.
1. Ending Time:
５時まで働きます。(Goji made hatarakimasu.)
I will work until 5 o'clock.
2. Ending Place (Destination):
駅まで走ります。(Eki made hashirimasu.)
I will run to the station.
Using Them Together: 〜から 〜まで
Combining these two particles creates the very common and useful pattern "from X until Y."
Time Range:
銀行は午前９時から午後３時までです。
(Ginkō wa gozen kuji kara gogo sanji made desu.)
The bank is open from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Place Range:
大阪から東京まで３時間かかります。
(Ōsaka kara Tōkyō made san-jikan kakarimasu.)
It takes 3 hours from Osaka to Tokyo.