HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#66

Tricky Uses of “dào”

到

dào

How it works

At HSK5, 到 (dào) has several more advanced uses beyond basic arrival. It can be used in expressions meaning:

to reach a degree

until a time

to achieve a result

to have the opportunity / condition to do something

事情发展到今天这个地步，已经不是一个人能解决的了。

Shìqing fāzhǎn dào jīntiān zhège dìbù, yǐjīng bú shì yí ge rén néng jiějué de le.

Things have developed to this point today, and it is no longer something one person can solve.

他从早忙到晚，连吃饭的时间都没有。

Tā cóng zǎo máng dào wǎn, lián chīfàn de shíjiān dōu méiyǒu.

He was busy from morning until night and did not even have time to eat.

只有真正经历过的人，才会体会到这种压力有多大。

Zhǐyǒu zhēnzhèng jīnglì guo de rén, cái huì tǐhuì dào zhè zhǒng yālì yǒu duō dà.

Only people who have truly experienced it can realize how great this pressure is.

到 (dào) at this level often becomes abstract and result-oriented, not just physical movement.