截至

• Pinyin: jié zhì
• Hanzi breakdown: 截 = 土 + 隹 + 戈, to cut off; 至 = pictograph of arrow hitting ground, to arrive

Meaning

As of; up to; until. Used to indicate a point in time up to which something is measured or counted.

A formal expression commonly used in news reports, statistics, and official statements to specify when data was collected. Always followed by a time expression. 截至目前 (as of now) and 截至今日 (as of today) are standard phrases. Different from 截止, which indicates a deadline.

Examples

1. 截至发稿时，这条微博已经有超过十万条评论。 As of the time of publication, this Weibo post had already received over 100,000 comments.
2. 截至上个季度末，公司营收同比增长了百分之二十。 As of the end of last quarter, the company's revenue grew by 20 percent year-over-year.
3. 截至目前，已有三十多个国家和地区参与了这项合作。 As of now, more than 30 countries and regions have participated in this cooperation.

Usage Guide

Context: news, statistics, reports

Tone: objective

Do Say

• 截至目前，情况依然不明朗。(As of now, the situation remains unclear.)
• 截至年底，我们完成了全部目标。(By the end of the year, we completed all our goals.)

Don't Say

• 混淆截至和截止，如'截至日期是明天' (截至 is 'as of,' not 'deadline' — use 截止日期 for deadlines)

Origin & History

Compound of 截 (to cut off) + 至 (to arrive at, until). Literally 'cut off at the point of arrival' — marks a measurement point.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal