直到

直到 (zhí dào) is an adverb meaning 'until' or 'up to the point of.' It is used to indicate the duration or time limit of an action or state, often in conjunction with another verb or event.

The character 直 (zhí) originally meant 'straight' or 'direct,' while 到 (dào) means 'to arrive' or 'to reach.' Together, they form a phrase that conveys the idea of continuing up to a specific point in time or event.

Until is commonly used in daily conversations to express when something stops or happens. For example, it can be used to describe how long someone waits, studies, or stays in a place. It is also used in formal and informal contexts, making it essential for expressing time-related concepts in Chinese.