How to Say ‘About five minutes on foot.’ in Japanese
歩いて5分ぐらいです。
arui te 5 pun gurai desu
[ah-roo-ee teh go foon goo-rah-ee dess]
💬 Usage Tip: [です] makes the phrase polite, so this is a very natural full sentence you may hear from station staff or strangers helping you. Great listening pattern: [歩いて] + time + [ぐらいです].
🇯🇵 In Japan: Polite endings like [です] are common even in simple directions, especially when speaking to someone they do not know. It helps interactions feel smooth and respectful.
Phrase Breakdown
歩いて
arui te
by walking / walking
Indicates the travel method is on foot.
歩いて3分です。
It’s 3 minutes on foot.
Words in this phrase
歩い
arui
[ah-roo-ee]
walk
Stem form of 歩く, used to make 歩いて, meaning by walking or on foot.
駅まで歩いて5分ぐらいです。
It is about a 5-minute walk to the station.
て
te
[teh]
and / by doing
The て-form ending attached to 歩い to form 歩いて.
ここから駅まで歩いて5分ぐらいです。
From here, it is about a 5-minute walk to the station.
5分ぐらい
5 pun gurai
about 5 minutes
A natural approximate time expression.
駅まで歩いて5分ぐらいです。
It’s about 5 minutes to the station on foot.
Words in this phrase
5
5
[go]
five
The number 5; in this phrase it is read ご.
駅は歩いて5分ぐらいです。
The station is about a 5-minute walk away.
分
pun
[foon]
minutes
Counter for minutes; with 5 it is ごふん.
ここから駅まで歩いて5分ぐらいです。
From here, it is about a 5-minute walk to the station.
ぐらい
gurai
[goo-rah-ee]
about / around
Marks an approximate amount of time, meaning about or around.
駅まで歩いて5分ぐらいです。
It is about a 5-minute walk to the station.
です
desu
[dess]
is / it is
Polite form of だ, used to end a sentence politely.
駅まで歩いて5分ぐらいです。
It is about a 5-minute walk to the station.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager