modality N1 uncommon casualwritten
〜るまでだ — will simply ~ (if it comes to that)
〜るまでだ ・ るまでだ
Meaning
- (if it comes to that,) I'll simply ~ / then I'll just ~ — states a calm, last-resort resolve: if the current plan fails, the speaker will fall back on this action without fuss
Conveys composure and quiet determination — the fallback is presented as no big deal.
Key sentence
話し合いで決まらなければ、投票するまでだ。
If we can't settle it by discussion, we'll simply put it to a vote.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (dictionary form) | V(る) + までだ | やめるまでだ / 自分でやるまでだ |
Examples
バスが来ないなら、歩いて行くまでだ。
If the bus won't come, I'll just walk.
断られても、もう一度頼むまでだ。
Even if I'm turned down, I'll simply ask once more.
Easily confused with
See 〜るまでだ in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜るまでだ the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.