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Chinese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "how long does it take" in Chinese?
需要多长时间
xū yào duō zhǎng shí jiān
In Chinese, "how long does it take" is 需要多长时间 (xū yào duō zhǎng shí jiān).
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Pronunciation
When you say xū yào duō zhǎng shí jiān, lead with "xū" held flat and high (first tone), then "yào" snapped down sharply (fourth tone), then "duō" held flat and high (first tone), then "zhǎng" dipped low then curled back up (third tone), then "shí" pushed upward like a question (second tone), then "jiān" held flat and high (first tone).
Writing and usage
需要多长时间 is written using hanzi. It's a phrase, part of the vocabulary taught in the Noun Town language learning game.
Example sentence
how long does it take
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How to remember 需要多长时间
Hold this scene in mind: how long does it take, paired tightly with the sound "xū yào duō zhǎng shí jiān" — that's the whole trick.
Related words
- cheers 干杯
- what is this called 这叫什么
- how do you say this 你怎么说呢
- i would like to order 我想点餐
- is there a discount 有折扣吗？
- where can i buy tickets 我在哪里可以买票
- what time does it open 几点开门
- what time does it close 几点关门
- can i have the menu 我能要菜单吗
Browse all Chinese words in the glossary.
Questions about 需要多长时间
How do you pronounce 需要多长时间?
When you say xū yào duō zhǎng shí jiān, lead with "xū" held flat and high (first tone), then "yào" snapped down sharply (fourth tone), then "duō" held flat and high (first tone), then "zhǎng" dipped low then curled back up (third tone), then "shí" pushed upward like a question (second tone), then "jiān" held flat and high (first tone).
Is 需要多长时间 formal or casual?
需要多长时间 is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech.
How is 需要多长时间 used in Chinese?
需要多长时间 is used the same way as the equivalent English phrase. For example: (how long does it take).
Where can I practice Chinese words for free?
You can play free Chinese minigames in your browser on the Noun Town online games page, no sign-up required. Every word in the Chinese glossary also has native audio and an example sentence you can revisit any time.
"How long does it take" in other languages
Curated by Jack Ratcliffe
This word is part of the vocabulary taught in the Chinese language learning game Noun Town, where words are introduced through play rather than memorisation. Want to play the full game? Get Noun Town on Steam.
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