要多长时间？
How long?
直訳: Want/need how much long time?
Use this phrase whenever you need to know the 'time price' of an activity or wait.
15秒でわかる
- Used to ask about the duration or time cost of something.
- Place the action before the phrase to be more specific.
- Works in almost any setting from street food to boardrooms.
意味
This is the most common way to ask how much time something will take. Use it when you are waiting for food, stuck in traffic, or planning a trip.
主な例文
3 / 7At a busy restaurant
等位要多长时间？
How long is the wait for a table?
In a taxi during rush hour
到机场要多长时间？
How long will it take to get to the airport?
Texting a late friend
你还要多长时间才能到？
How much longer until you arrive?
文化的背景
This phrase reflects the rapid urbanization and 'speed' culture of modern China. While traditional culture emphasizes patience, the modern '996' work culture (9am-9pm, 6 days a week) makes time the most precious commodity. Asking for a duration is a sign of being organized and respectful of schedules.
The 'Wait' Secret
If you are in a rush at a restaurant, ask this before you sit down. If they say 'half an hour,' you know to run!
Time vs. Length
Never use this for the length of a bridge or a table. That's '多长' (duō cháng). This is only for the clock!
15秒でわかる
- Used to ask about the duration or time cost of something.
- Place the action before the phrase to be more specific.
- Works in almost any setting from street food to boardrooms.
What It Means
要多长时间 is your go-to tool for managing expectations. It literally translates to 'want how much long time.' In English, we just say 'How long?' but Chinese adds the verb 要 (to want/need). It is the ultimate survival phrase for the impatient traveler. It focuses specifically on the duration of an event or task.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase all by itself. Just point at something and ask 要多长时间？ It is that simple. If you want to be specific, put the action at the start. For example, 开车要多长时间？ means 'How long does it take to drive?' You do not need complex grammar here. Just state the activity and drop the phrase at the end like a microphone.
When To Use It
Use it when you are at a restaurant and the dumplings are taking forever. Use it at the bank when the line is out the door. It is perfect for asking a taxi driver about the commute. You can also use it when texting a friend who is 'five minutes away' for the third time. It works for both short tasks and long-term projects.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this to ask about the physical length of an object. If you want to know how long a table is, use 多长？ instead. Also, do not use it to ask what time it is right now. That is 现在几点？ This phrase is strictly for measuring the 'time cost' of an action. Using it for a ruler measurement will get you some very confused looks.
Cultural Background
In fast-paced Chinese cities like Shanghai or Beijing, efficiency is king. People are always on the move. Asking 要多长时间 is not seen as rude; it is seen as practical. It shows you value your time and theirs. In the past, life moved slower, but today, everyone wants the 'Express' version of everything. This phrase is the heartbeat of that modern hustle.
Common Variations
You might hear people say 多久？ which is a shorter, punchier version. It means the exact same thing. In the south, you might hear 要几耐？ in Cantonese-influenced areas. If you want to be extra polite, add 请问 (May I ask) at the beginning. It turns a blunt question into a smooth, professional inquiry.
使い方のコツ
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any social register. The only 'gotcha' is confusing it with physical length; always remember this is for the clock, not the ruler.
The 'Wait' Secret
If you are in a rush at a restaurant, ask this before you sit down. If they say 'half an hour,' you know to run!
Time vs. Length
Never use this for the length of a bridge or a table. That's '多长' (duō cháng). This is only for the clock!
The Polite Buffer
In China, people often answer with 'soon' (快了) even if it's not. If you hear '快了', ask '还要多长时间' to get the real number.
例文
7等位要多长时间？
How long is the wait for a table?
A essential phrase for popular hotpot spots.
到机场要多长时间？
How long will it take to get to the airport?
Used to check if you will miss your flight.
你还要多长时间才能到？
How much longer until you arrive?
A slightly annoyed but common way to check on someone.
这个项目要多长时间？
How long will this project take?
Focuses on the timeline of a professional task.
修理手机要多长时间？
How long to fix the phone?
Asking for a service estimate.
你说完要多长时间？
How long is it going to take for you to finish talking?
Use only with very close friends who have a sense of humor.
我们要等多长时间才能见面？
How long must we wait until we can see each other?
Expressing longing for a future event.
自分をテスト
Complete the sentence to ask how long the flight is.
坐飞机___？
`要多长时间` is the correct way to ask for duration.
Choose the most natural response to '要多长时间？'
大概___个小时。
When counting things (like hours), we use `两` (liǎng) instead of `二` (èr).
🎉 スコア： /2
ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of '要多长时间？'
Shortened to '多久？' with friends.
多久？
Standard '要多长时间？' for daily life.
要多长时间？
Adding '请问' for polite inquiries.
请问要多长时间？
Where to use 'How Long?'
Waiting for food
上菜要多长时间？
Commuting
走路要多长时间？
Downloading
下载要多长时间？
Studying
学会要多长时间？
よくある質問
12 問In this context, 要 means 'to need' or 'to take.' It indicates the requirement of time for an action to finish.
Yes! 多久 is a shorter, more casual version. It's very common in spoken Chinese among friends.
It is neutral. To make it more professional, add 请问 (qǐng wèn) at the start: 请问要多长时间？
Add 还 (hái) to the start: 还要多长时间？ This translates to 'Still need how much time?'
No, for age you should use 多大 (duō dà) or 几岁 (jǐ suì). 要多长时间 is only for duration.
时间 (shí jiān) means a period or duration. 时候 (shí hou) refers to a specific point in time or 'when'.
You usually answer with a number and a time unit, like 十分钟 (10 minutes) or 两个小时 (2 hours).
Not really; it is standard Mandarin. However, northern speakers might add an 'r' sound to the end of words occasionally.
Yes. You can ask 去旅游要多长时间？ to find out how long the trip will last.
In Chinese, 多 + an adjective (like 长 - long) is the standard way to ask 'How [adjective]?'
You can be more specific by asking 要多少天？ (How many days?) instead of the general 'how long'.
Yes, your tone of voice will convey the annoyance. If you say it sharply while looking at your watch, they will get the message!
関連フレーズ
多久？
How long? (Shorter version)
什么时候？
When? / At what time?
还要多久？
How much longer?
多长时间一次？
How often? (Literally: How long for one time?)
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