From

The particle から has various grammatical uses but its most basic meaning in Japanese is “from”. Like English, it can be used in reference to a physical place or a point in time, e.g. “take a glass from the cupboard”, “study from 5pm”.

私わたしは　明日あしたから　勉強べんきょうを　始はじめます。

I will start studying from tomorrow.

私わたしは　家いえから　図書館としょかんに　行いきます。

I will go to the library from home.

明日きのう、友達ともだちから　手紙てがみを　もらいました。

I received a letter from my friend.

鞄かばんから　財布さいふを　取とり出だしました。

I took my wallet out of my bag.

Until

The particle まで means “until” and can be appended to nouns and the dictionary form of verbs.

来年らいねんの　三月さんがつまで　先生せんせいの　授業じゅぎょうを　受うけます。

I’ll take the teacher’s seminar until March next year

毎日まいにち、六時ろくじから　八時はちじまで　新聞しんぶんを　読よみます。

Everyday from 6 o’clock to 8 o’clock I read the newspaper.

You can also add まで to the standard form of the verb (“until I do something”). You cannot do this with から as you will see later.

この　漢字かんじを　覚おえるまで　友達ともだちと　遊あそびません。

I won’t hang out with my friend until I’ve memorised this kanji.

私わたしは　お母かあさんが　帰かえるまで　待まちます。

I will wait until my mother returns home.

Note how in the last example sentence the が particle was used. This links “mother” to the verb “return home” so it’s clear that she is not the one waiting.

If we add a に to まで the meaning becomes “by”, e.g. I will finish by tomorrow.

５時ごじまでに　電話でんわします。

I will call you by 5 o’clock.

金曜日きんようびまでに　お店みせに　予約よやくを　入いれます。

I will book the restaurant by Friday.