到 | Grammar | lingaku

Structure

[subject] + 到 + [place] [subject] + 到 + [place] + 去 / 来 [subject] + [verb] + 到 + [time / place] 从 + [A] + 到 + [B] [verb] + 到 (result reached)

Description

到 marks an end point. As a verb it means "arrive"; after another verb it says where the action ended up or when it stopped.

。

I've arrived at the school.

。

We work until six.

到 with a place, then 去 or 来

When 到 introduces a destination before the verb, the sentence closes with 去 or 来. 去北京 says the same thing more briefly.

。

I'm going to Beijing.

。

He came to my place.

Until, and from… to…

After a verb, 到 + a time says how long the action went on. With 从 in front, it closes a span of time or distance.

。

I work from Monday to Friday.

。

We waited until eight.

At the front of a sentence, 到 + a time sets a deadline: "by then".

。

I'll know by tomorrow.

到 after a verb: the result was reached

Attached to a verb, 到 says the action reached its target. 看到 is to catch sight of, 听到 to catch the sound, 找到 to find.

。

I found my keys.

。

I didn't see him.

The negative is 没, not 不: the action did not reach its result.

× 我不找到 → 我没找到

Examples

。

I'm home.

？

When does the train arrive?

。

We work until six.

。

It's a ten-minute walk from here to the bank.

。

He's gone to China.

。

I've found a job.

。

I didn't catch what you said.

。

Please take the books to the classroom.

。

It rained from morning to night.

？

Have you seen my phone?

。

I'll be free by Friday.

。

We waited until eight.

References

Expressing "until" with "dao"resources.allsetlearning.com