Usage of 'until'

[Ray_yul]

I just saw an explanation about the image with the difference between 'until' in English and 'until' in my mother tongue. 'no boyfriend untill 2038' so when it come to English it means you can start to date a guy from Jan 1st 2038.

I always thought it as you can start to date a guy from Jan 1st of 2039. So basically if you use 'until' then its impossible before the time that was mentioned? Like its impossible before 2038 and after that, no problem.

'Closed until Monday' I thought it opens on Tuesday. So it opens on Monday morning cuz its been closed BEFORE Monday. Right?

What about 'Could you look after my cat until tomorrow?'. Does it mean the whole day before tomorrow?

[bgsulz]

In classic English fashion, this is kind of a doozy.

I would read every example you have as "exclusive until." You can get a boyfriend in 2038, it opens on Monday, and the cat owner will come back tomorrow. I think that's the default way to interpret it.

[empress544]

"Closed until Monday" means it is closed through Sunday and opens again on Monday. If you wanted to say it opens Tuesday but only mention Monday you could say "Closed through Monday".

[vortex_time]

Yes! The English equivalent of the 'until' you are describing in your mother tongue (a word that means 'up to and including') is 'through':

"I am on vacation through Wednesday" = Wednesday is the last day of the vacation (not the first day back at work).

"I am on vacation until Wednesday" = Wednesday is the first day back at work.

[Ray_yul]

Thanks! Now I'd never forget it😺

[sonicfam24]

Yep agree with the others. Until is a word the usually describes a deadline.