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〜までだ・〜までのことだ

(I'll) just (do that); it's only that

Verb dictionary form + までだ (resolve) · Verb た-form + までだ (just)

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までだ has two uses, depending on tense.

After the dictionary form, it's a calm resolve: if one plan fails, you'll simply do something else. 電車がないなら、歩いて帰るまでだ, "if there are no trains, I'll just walk home". The feeling is "no big deal, that's all there is to it".

After the た-form, it downplays your own action: 気になったから聞いてみたまでです, "I only asked because I was curious". This is often defensive, meaning "I had no other motive".

までのことだ is a slightly more formal version of both. The everyday equivalent is だけだ.

Don't confuse it with までに, "by (a deadline)", or までもない, "no need to".

Examples

  • 電車でんしゃがないなら、歩あるいて帰かえるまでだ。

    If there are no trains, I'll just walk home.

  • 反対はんたいされても、やるまでだ。

    Even if they oppose it, I'll just go ahead.

  • 失敗しっぱいしたら、もう一度いちどやり直なおすまでのことだ。

    If I fail, I'll just start again. Simple as that.

  • 気きになったから聞きいてみたまでです。

    I only asked because I was curious.

  • 私わたしは本当ほんとうのことを言いったまでだ。

    I only told the truth.

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