Learn French: Ask 'Is It Far From Here?' and Understand Time Estimates
Ask 'C'est loin d'ici ?' and understand French distance and time answers like 'à dix minutes à pied'.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you ask for directions in French, the next question is usually about distance: is the place far, or can you walk there? This lesson teaches you to ask 'C'est loin d'ici ?' (Is it far from here?) and to understand the time estimates French speakers give in reply, such as 'C'est à dix minutes à pied' (It's ten minutes on foot). You will learn the key question patterns, the most common answer structures, and how to ask for clarification if you do not understand the estimate.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a place is far from here using 'C'est loin d'ici ?'
- understand and use time estimates like 'à dix minutes à pied' and 'à vingt minutes en voiture'
- ask for clarification if I do not understand a distance or time answer
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
C'est loin d'ici ?
Is it far from here?
say lwan dee-SEE
The standard, neutral way to ask about distance. Use it for any destination you have already mentioned or pointed to.
C'est à combien de temps ?
How long does it take? / How far is it in time?
say tah kom-BYAN duh TAHN
Use this when you want a time estimate rather than a yes/no answer. It is common after 'C'est loin d'ici ?'.
C'est à dix minutes à pied.
It's ten minutes on foot.
say tah dee mee-NOOT ah PYAY
The most common answer for short distances. Replace 'dix' with any number: cinq, quinze, vingt.
C'est à vingt minutes en voiture.
It's twenty minutes by car.
say tah van mee-NOOT ahn vwa-TYUR
Use 'en voiture' for driving. In Quebec, you may also hear 'en auto'.
Ce n'est pas loin, c'est juste à côté.
It's not far, it's just nearby.
suh nay pah lwan, say zhoost ah ko-TAY
A reassuring answer meaning the place is very close. 'À côté' literally means 'next to' but often means 'close by'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask about distance, use 'C'est loin d'ici ?' (Is it far from here?). To ask for a time estimate, use 'C'est à combien de temps ?' (How long does it take?). The answer pattern is 'C'est à + [number] + minutes + à pied / en voiture / en bus / en train'. For example: 'C'est à cinq minutes à pied' (It's five minutes on foot), 'C'est à quinze minutes en bus' (It's fifteen minutes by bus). Note that French uses 'à' before the time expression, not 'dans' or 'pour'. If the place is close, you can also say 'C'est tout près' (It's very close) or 'C'est à deux pas' (It's a two-minute walk, literally 'two steps away').
When to use it
Use these questions when you have already identified a destination, for example after asking 'Où est la gare ?' (Where is the train station?). 'C'est loin d'ici ?' is neutral and works in both formal and informal situations. If you are speaking to someone older or in a formal context, you can soften it with 'Excusez-moi, c'est loin d'ici ?' (Excuse me, is it far from here?). To ask about walking distance specifically, say 'C'est à combien de minutes à pied ?' (How many minutes on foot is it?). If you do not understand the answer, ask 'Pardon, vous pouvez répéter ?' (Sorry, can you repeat?) or 'Ça fait combien de temps ?' (How long does that take?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Excusez-moi, la gare, c'est loin d'ici ?
Excuse me, is the train station far from here?ek-skew-ZAY mwah, lah gar, say lwan dee-SEENon, ce n'est pas loin. C'est à dix minutes à pied.
No, it's not far. It's ten minutes on foot.nohn, suh nay pah lwan. say tah dee mee-NOOT ah PYAYD'accord. Et c'est à combien de temps en bus ?
Okay. And how long is it by bus?da-KOR. ay say tah kom-BYAN duh TAHN ahn BEWSSEn bus, c'est à cinq minutes. Mais à pied, c'est plus simple.
By bus, it's five minutes. But on foot, it's simpler.ahn BEWSS, say tah sank mee-NOOT. may ah PYAY, say plew SAM-pluhA little context goes a long way
In France, distances in towns are often given in walking time rather than metres or kilometres. A French speaker may say 'c'est à dix minutes' without specifying 'à pied' if walking is the obvious option. In Quebec, you may hear 'en auto' instead of 'en voiture' for driving, and 'à pied' is still standard for walking. When someone gives you a time estimate, it is polite to thank them with 'Merci, c'est gentil' (Thank you, that's kind).
One thing to watch for
Saying 'C'est loin de ici ?' instead of 'C'est loin d'ici ?'
Try this instead: 'De' becomes 'd'' before a vowel: 'd'ici', not 'de ici'. The correct question is 'C'est loin d'ici ?' (Is it far from here?). Similarly, 'à côté d'ici' (next to here), not 'à côté de ici'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is it far from here?' in French?
Show a sample answer
C'est loin d'ici ?
This is the standard neutral question. You could also say 'C'est loin d'ici ?' with a rising intonation. 'Est-ce que c'est loin d'ici ?' is a slightly more formal alternative.
2Someone answers 'C'est à quinze minutes à pied.' What does that mean?
Show a sample answer
It's fifteen minutes on foot.
'À quinze minutes à pied' means fifteen minutes walking. If they had said 'en voiture', it would mean by car.
3How would you ask 'How long does it take by bus?' in French?
Show a sample answer
C'est à combien de temps en bus ?
This uses the pattern 'C'est à combien de temps' plus 'en bus'. You could also ask 'Ça prend combien de temps en bus ?' which is equally correct.
To ask about distance, use 'C'est loin d'ici ?'. To get a time estimate, use 'C'est à combien de temps ?'. Understand answers with 'C'est à + [number] + minutes + à pied / en voiture / en bus'.
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