I.until [Brit ənˈtɪl, Am ˌənˈtɪl] PREP When used as a preposition in positive sentences, until is translated by fino a or sino a: they're staying until Monday = rimarranno fino/sino a lunedì. Remember that, if a definite article form follows fino a, a is modified according to the number and gender of the following noun: until the right moment = fino al momento giusto until the break of war = fino allo scoppio della guerra until the end = fino alla fine until next year = fino all'anno prossimo until dawn = fino all'alba until next exams = fino ai prossimi esami until the eighties = fino agli anni ottanta until next holidays = fino alle prossime vacanze. - In negative sentences not until is translated by non…fino a: I can't see you until Friday = non posso vederti fino a venerdì. - When used as a conjunction, until is translated by finché (non) or fino a quando: we'll stay here until Maya comes back = rimarremo qui finché (non) / fino a quando torna Maya; don't speak a word until I tell you = non dire una parola finché non te lo dico io. - In negative sentences where the two verbs have the same subject, not until is translated by prima di + infinitive: we won't leave until we've seen Claire = non ce ne andremo prima di avere visto Claire. - For more examples and particular usages, see this entry.

• •  Show synonyms for until.
  •  Send us feedback