German · Travel & Getting Around
"How long does it take?" in German: Wie lange dauert das?
Wie lange dauert das?
How long does it take in German is Wie lange dauert das? Answer with Es dauert zehn Minuten or about an hour: ungefähr eine Stunde.
Train info desk
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How to pronounce Wie lange dauert das?
Say it
vee LANG-uh DOW-ert dass
/viː ˈlaŋə ˈdaʊɐ̯t das/
vee LANG-uh DOW-ert dass. Au in dauert like "ow" in "cow"; final t clear.
"How long does it take?" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Wie lange dauert das? | How long does it take? Core question. | Core question. |
| Wie lange dauert die Fahrt? | How long does the trip take? Travel. | Travel. |
| Es dauert … | It takes … Answer frame. | Answer frame. |
| Wie lange brauchen wir? | How long do we need? Soft alternative. | Soft alternative. |
How to use Wie lange dauert das? in real life
- 1Train info desk
Wie lange dauert das bis München?
How long does it take to Munich?
Full question + destination.
- 2Oven timer
Wie lange dauert das noch? Ich habe Hunger.
How long does that still take? I'm hungry.
Cooking wait.
- 3Repair shop
Wie lange dauert das mit dem Fahrrad?
How long does the bike repair take?
Service wait.
Mistakes English speakers make with Wie lange dauert das?
Incorrect: Wie lang dauert das?
Correct: Wie lange dauert das?
Use lange (adverb), not lang, in this question.
Incorrect: Wie lange nimmt das?
Correct: Wie lange dauert das?
German prefers dauern here, not nehmen.
Good to know
Germans often answer with a precise range (zehn bis fünfzehn Minuten). If someone says dauert noch, expect a short remaining wait rather than a vague forever.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Waiting for a passport photo
ChatPal
Sind die Fotos fertig?
Are the photos ready?
You
Keine Ahnung. Wie lange dauert das?
No idea. How long does it take?
ChatPal
Ich frage: Wie lange dauert das ungefähr?
I'll ask: About how long does it take?
You
Hoffentlich unter zehn Minuten.
Hopefully under ten minutes.
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FAQ
Common questions about "How long does it take?" in German
How do you ask how long it takes?
Wie lange dauert das?
How do you answer?
Es dauert zehn Minuten / eine Stunde.
Travel time?
Wie lange dauert die Fahrt?
Lange or lang?
Wie lange in this question.
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