Until and up to (-(y)a kadar)

Until: Dative + kadar

Kadar after a noun in the dative (-a / -e) sets a limit in time — until or by:

I am working until the evening.
Akşama kadar çalışıyorum.
The library is open until nine o'clock.
Kütüphane saat dokuza kadar açık.
Wait until tomorrow.
Yarına kadar bekle.

From ... To ...

Pair the ablative (-dan/-den) with the dative for a full range — "from X to Y":

We study from morning till evening.
Sabahtan akşama kadar ders çalışıyoruz.
I work from nine to five.
Dokuzdan beşe kadar çalışıyorum.

The same frame covers space: Ankara'dan İstanbul'a kadar — from Ankara all the way to Istanbul.

As Far As

With a place in the dative, kadar measures distance — up to, as far as:

We walk as far as the school.
Okula kadar yürüyoruz.
I walk up to the park.
Parka kadar yürüyorum.

Saying How Long You'll Stay

I am here until ten o'clock.
Saat ona kadar buradayım.

Saat ona kadar = "until ten o'clock" — the everyday way to say when something closes or how long you will stay.

Contributors