てまで・
てまで・までして highlights a costly, risky, or questionable action used as a means to achieve something. It draws attention to how far someone goes, often with admiration, surprise, criticism, reluctance, or doubt about whether the goal is worth the cost.
The means and the goal
The action before まで is the exceptional cost or sacrifice; the following part gives the goal, result, or judgment. The construction works only when that connection is clear.
Three common viewpoints
The speaker may report the extreme positively or neutrally, refuse to go that far, or question whether the result justifies the cost.
彼は借金までして、小さな工房を開いた。
He even went into debt to open a small workshop.
Analyze借金 is the costly means, and opening the workshop is the goal.
友人を裏切ってまで、昇進したいとは思わない。
I do not want a promotion badly enough to betray a friend for it.
AnalyzeA negative main clause naturally expresses refusal to pay such an extreme price.
名誉のために家族を傷つけてまで勝つ意味があるのか。
Is winning for the sake of honor worth going so far as to hurt one's family?
AnalyzeThe rhetorical question challenges whether the goal is worth the sacrifice.
What the form does not decide
This pattern evaluates the extent of an action, but it does not itself mean that the person is determined to act. Context can show admiration, criticism, disbelief, reluctance, or outright refusal.
Extreme extent versus determination
てまで・までして focuses on how extreme the means is and can be used in descriptions, criticism, questions, or refusals. By contrast, てでも foregrounds the subject's willingness to accept that extreme cost.
彼は借金してでも自分の店を持つつもりだ。
He intends to open his own shop even if he has to go into debt.
AnalyzeHere the point is his determination to accept the cost.
More examples
彼女は睡眠時間を削ってまで研究を続けた。
She continued her research even at the cost of cutting back on sleep.
Analyze徹夜までして、今日中に報告書を仕上げた。
I even stayed up all night to finish the report today.
Analyze健康を害してまで働くつもりはない。
I have no intention of working at the expense of my health.
Analyze転職までして、この町に移る価値があるだろうか。
Is moving to this town worth going so far as to change jobs?
Analyze自分の評判を守るために、嘘をついてまで他人を責めるべきではない。
You should not go so far as to lie and blame someone else just to protect your reputation.
Analyze彼は安定した仕事を捨ててまで、長年の夢に挑戦した。
He went so far as to leave a secure job to pursue his longtime dream.
Analyze