How to Say ‘How long will it take?’ in Japanese
どのくらいかかりますか。
dono kurai kakari masu ka
[doh-noh koo-rah-ee kah-kah-ree mahss kah]
💬 Usage Tip: This literally asks "about how much does it take?" In travel situations, it usually means time unless you mention money.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Taxi drivers usually answer with an estimate, not an exact promise, because traffic conditions matter.
Phrase Breakdown
どのくらい
dono kurai
how long; about how much
どのくらい asks about an approximate amount of time, distance, or quantity.
ここまでどのくらいかかりますか。
How long does it take to get here?
Words in this phrase
どの
dono
[doh-noh]
how; what amount
Begins a question about amount or duration.
どのくらいかかりますか、と運転手さんに聞きます。
You ask the driver, “How long will it take?”
くらい
kurai
[koo-rah-ee]
about; extent
Helps express “how much” or “how long.”
どのくらいかかりますか、と確認します。
You confirm by asking, “How long will it take?”
かかりますか
kakari masu ka
does it take?
かかる means “to take” in terms of time, money, or effort. ますか makes it a polite question.
学校まで一時間かかります。
It takes one hour to get to school.
Words in this phrase
かかり
kakari
[kah-kah-ree]
takes; costs
Refers to required time or fare.
どのくらいかかりますか、と聞くのは大切です。
It is important to ask, “How long will it take?”
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite ending
Makes the verb polite.
どのくらいかかりますか、と丁寧に言います。
You say politely, “How long will it take?”
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Shows the sentence is a question.
どのくらいかかりますか、と質問します。
You ask, “How long will it take?”
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