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How to Say ‘How long’ in Simplified Chinese

需要多长时间

💬 Usage Tip: Phrase for asking about duration or time taken.

🇨🇳 In China: Useful when planning travel times or asking for estimates.

Phrase Breakdown

需要

need

Used to indicate necessity or requirement.

Example

我需要帮助。

I need help.

多长

how long

Used to inquire about length or duration.

Example

这条路有多长?

How long is this road?

时间

time

Refers to the concept of time or duration.

Example

时间不够。

Time is not enough.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

需要

[xū yào]

need

To require or want something.

Example

需要多长时间走到酒店?

How long does it take to walk to the hotel?

[duō]

how much

Used to ask about an amount or degree.

Example

需要多长时间走到酒店?

How long does it take to walk to the hotel?

[zhǎng]

long

Refers to the extent of duration.

Example

需要多长时间走到酒店?

How long does it take to walk to the hotel?

时间

[shí jiān]

time

The ongoing sequence of events.

Example

需要多长时间走到酒店?

How long does it take to walk to the hotel?

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