1.
that far; up to there
As far as a place already mentioned or visible. Literally そこ (there) plus まで (as far as).
2.
to that extent; that much; that seriously
Extended to degree rather than distance: as far as the level the other person has described. Very often used with a negative to play something down — そこまでではない, "it's not that bad / not that big a deal."
The degree sense (2) is far more common in conversation than the literal one, and it always measures against something the other person has just said or implied.
Common expressions
- そこまでではない: it's not that bad; not to that degree
- そこまでにする: to stop there, to leave it at that
- そこまで言わなくても: you didn't have to go that far (in what you said)
- そこまでする必要はない: there's no need to go that far
Similar words
- それほど: not that much — used almost exclusively with negatives, and only about degree
- あそこまで: that far — refers to something distant from both speakers, rather than near the listener
Related Words
Compare:
それほど (not that much)