“に” or “から”? How old is “20歳未満” ? Clear up common Japanese mistakes!
Table of Contents
1. How to distinguish between “から” and “に”
2. The Difference Between “から” and “に”
3. Let’s Compare
4. How to distinguish between “以下” and “未満”
5. The Difference Between “以下” and “未満”
6. Let’s Compare
7. Summary
8. Quiz
9. Similar Articles
10. Comment
Q: How should I distinguish between “から” and “に” when expressing time?
A: “から” indicates the starting point of an action or event and often implies that something begins and continues from that point.
On the other hand, “に” points to a specific moment in time and expresses that something happens at that moment, without the sense of continuity.
The Difference Between “から” and “に”
[から]
Indicates the starting point of an event or action.
It can also imply that something begins at that point and continues.
When you want to clearly show a time span, “〜まで” (until) is often used together.
[Examples]
来週から学校が始まります。
School will start from next week.
娘は去年からイギリスに留学しています。
My daughter has been studying abroad in the UK since last year.
2015年から2024年まで日本に住んでいました。
I lived in Japan from 2015 to 2024.
[に]
Indicates a specific point in time.
It does not imply continuity, and is used to answer the question “when?”
[例]
2027年にイギリスに留学します。
I will study abroad in the UK in 2027.
毎朝7時に起きます。
I get up at 7 o’clock every morning.
Note: “に” cannot be used with words like “today,” “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “this week,” or “next year.”
Let’s Compare
Which of the following is correct in each case?
[Example①]
彼は1年前からイギリスに留学しました。
VS
彼は1年前からイギリスに留学しています。
The correct answer is “彼は1年前からイギリスに留学しています。“
“から” expresses continuation, so it naturally matches with “has been studying,” which also shows an ongoing state.
“Studied abroad” implies a completed action, which does not fit well with “から.”
[Example②]
彼は1年前にイギリスに留学しました。
VS
彼は1年前にイギリスに留学しています。
The correct answer is “彼は1年前にイギリスに留学しました。“
“に” points to a specific point in the past, and it is used to state a completed fact like “He studied abroad.”
[Example③]
2027年に日本へ行きます。
VS
2027年から日本へ行きます。
In this case, both are correct.
These sentences refer to future events, so either “に” or “から” can be used.
“に” simply means at that time, while “kara” implies starting from that time and continuing.
Q: Is there a difference between “18歳以下” and “18歳未満”?
A: Yes, there is a difference. Both “以下” and “未満” are used to express numbers or ranges, but the key distinction is whether the number itself is included or not included.
The Difference Between “以下” and “未満”
[以下]
“以下” includes the specified number.
For example, “10以下” means “10 or less,” so 10 is included in the range along with all smaller numbers.
[Examples]
集まった人数は20人以下だったそうです。
It is said that the number of people who gathered was 20 or fewer.
テストは45点以下だと不合格です。
If you score 45 points or less on the test, you will fail.
[未満]
In contrast, “未満” does not include the specified number.
For example, “10未満” means “less than 10,” so it refers only to numbers below 10, excluding 10 itself.
[Examples]
パーティーに来た人は30人未満でした。
The number of people who came to the party was less than 30.
テストは50点未満だと再試験があります。
If you score less than 50 points on the test, you will have to take a retest.
Let’s Compare
In the following situation, which expression is more appropriate?
[Example]
Staff：
「この乗り物は10歳以下のお子様は乗れません。」
VS
「この乗り物は10歳未満のお子様は乗れません。」
Customer：「この子、まだ10歳だから無理ですね。」
The correct answer is “10歳以下”
“以下” includes the age of 10, so 10-year-old children are also covered by the restriction.
On the other hand, if you use “未満” , 10 is not included, so a 10-year-old child can ride.
Summary
[「から」と「に」]
- “から” indicates a continuous period starting from a certain point.
- “に” does not imply continuity and emphasizes a specific point in time.
[「以下」と「未満」]
- “以下” includes the specified number and all numbers below it.
- “未満” excludes the specified number and refers only to numbers below it.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. から
来週から試験が始まります。
The exam will start from next week.
*から” indicates a starting point, which matches the nuance of “the exam starts and continues.”
Note: “に” cannot be used with “来週”.
A. に
ちょうど1年前に日本へ来ました。
I came to Japan exactly one year ago.
*“に” is used to indicate a specific point in the past.
A. 以下
田中「本を出版されたそうですね」
山本「ええ、200ページ以下の本ですが。」
田中「200ページもあれば立派ですよ」
Tanaka: “I heard you published a book.”
Yamamoto: “Yes, it’s a short book with 200 pages or less.”
Tanaka: “If it has 200 pages, that’s impressive!”
*Since Tanaka says “If it has 200 pages,” we understand that 200 is included. “以下” includes the number itself, so it is the correct answer.
A. 未満
日本では20歳未満はお酒が飲めません。
In Japan, people under the age of 20 are not allowed to drink alcohol.
*According to Japanese law, people aged 0–19 may not drink alcohol. Since drinking is allowed from age 20, “未満” (which excludes 20) is the correct word.
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