How to Say ‘How heavy is it?’ in Japanese
重さはどのくらいですか。
omo sa wa dono kurai desu ka
[oh-MOH sah wah doh-noh koo-rah-ee dess ka]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is handy at the post office or airport check-in, where staff weigh parcels and bags in キロ.
Phrase Breakdown
重さは
omo sa wa
the weight (as for)
重さ (omosa) means weight and comes from 重い (heavy). は is read 'wa'.
重さは軽いです。
It is light in weight.
Words in this phrase
重
omo
[oh-MOH]
heavy
Kanji for heavy; with さ it becomes the noun 'weight'.
この箱は重いです。
This box is heavy.
さ
sa
[sah]
-ness; quality
Turns an adjective-like word into a noun showing a quality, like 'seriousness.'
まじめさは行動で見えます。
Seriousness can be seen through actions.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker; as for
Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for giving me your time today.
どのくらいですか。
dono kurai desu ka
about how much is it?
Pronounced 'dono kurai desu ka'. This asks for an approximate amount.
大きさはどのくらいですか。
About how big is it?
Words in this phrase
どの
dono
[doh-noh]
how; what amount
Used with another word to ask “how much” or “how long.”
どのくらいかかりますか、と聞きます。
You ask, “How long will it take?”
くらい
kurai
[koo-rah-ee]
about; approximately; extent
Together with どの, it forms 'how long/how much'.
ホテルまでどのくらいかかりますか。
How long does it take to the hotel?
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
A particle used at the end of a sentence to form a question.
それは大丈夫ですか？
Is that okay?
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