How to Say ‘How long is it?’ in Japanese
長さはどのくらいですか。
naga sa wa dono kurai desu ka
[naga sah wah doh-noh koo-rah-ee dess ka]
💬 Usage Tip: Put any measurement word before は and add どのくらいですか to ask how much: 高さはどのくらいですか "How tall is it?". The は is said (wa).
Phrase Breakdown
長さは
naga sa wa
the length (as for)
長さ (nagasa) means length and comes from 長い (long). は is read 'wa'.
長さは同じです。
The length is the same.
Words in this phrase
長
naga
[naga]
long
Having great linear extent or duration.
この映画は長すぎます。
This movie is too long.
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 measurement.
距離はどのくらいですか。
About how far 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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