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How to Say ‘How much longer do you think it'll take from here?’ in Japanese

ここからだとあとどのくらいかかりそうですか？

koko kara da to ato dono kurai kakari sou desu ka

[ko-ko kah-rah da toh ah-toh doh-noh koo-rah-ee kah-kah-ree soh dess kah]

Phrase Breakdown

ここからだと

koko kara da to

from here

This sets the starting point. Pause slightly after と.

Example

ここからだと遠いですか？

Is it far from here?

Words in this phrase

ここ

koko

[ko-ko]

here

Refers to a specific location where the speaker is.

Example

タクシーをここで降ります。

I will get off the taxi here.

から

kara

[kah-rah]

from; starting from

Creates これから = “from now on.” Sets a forward-looking tone for friendship and teamwork.

Example

これから一緒に練習しよう。

Let’s practice together from now on.

だ

[da]

be (informal)

Informal form of 'to be' used in casual speech.

Example

今日はいい天気だ。

Today is good weather.

と

[toh]

Indicating a condition.

Example

もし明日が晴れたら。

If it is sunny tomorrow.

あとどのくらい

ato dono kurai

about how much longer

This asks about the remaining amount of time. Keep it smooth, with no stress.

Example

あとどのくらいですか？

How much longer is it?

Words in this phrase

あと

ato

[ah-toh]

just a little more; almost

Means only a small amount remained before something happened.

Example

あと少しで入った。

It almost went in.

どの

dono

[doh-noh]

how; what amount

Used with another word to ask “how much” or “how long.”

Example

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; around

Used with size words to mean approximately that level or degree.

Example

中くらいのくらいはだいたいの大きさです。

The kurai in chuu kurai means an approximate size.

かかりそうですか？

kakari sou desu ka

does it look like it will take?

This is a polite guess-question. Use rising intonation at the end.

Example

駅まで何分かかりそうですか？

How many minutes will it take to the station?

Words in this phrase

かかり

kakari

[kah-kah-ree]

take; require

Verb stem meaning to take time or cost money.

Example

駅までどのくらいかかりますか。

How long does it take to the station?

そう

sou

[soh]

seems likely; looks like

Added after a verb stem to show something seems likely to happen soon.

Example

雨が降りそうです。

It looks like it’s going to rain.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

か

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

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