How to Ask About Distance in German: 'Is It Far from Here?' and Time Estimates
Learn to ask how far places are in German, understand answers with minutes or kilometers, and use the key question 'Ist es weit von hier?'
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you ask for directions in German, the answer often includes a distance or a time estimate. This lesson teaches you how to ask 'Is it far from here?' with the phrase 'Ist es weit von hier?' and how to understand simple replies such as 'Es ist nicht weit' or 'Zu Fuß sind es zehn Minuten.' You will learn the core question pattern, useful follow-up questions, and how to talk about walking time. The focus is on distance, not turn-by-turn directions, so you can quickly find out whether a place is nearby or requires a longer trip.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a place is far from here using 'Ist es weit von hier?'
- understand and give simple time estimates in minutes or hours.
- ask how long it takes on foot or by bus.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ist es weit von hier?
Is it far from here?
ist es vahyt fon heer
Standard polite question. Use 'es' for a place already mentioned or understood. The 't' in 'weit' is pronounced clearly in standard German; regional accents may vary slightly.
Wie weit ist es?
How far is it?
vee vahyt ist es
A direct follow-up when you already know the destination. It asks for a distance or time estimate.
Es ist nicht weit.
It is not far.
es ist nikht vahyt
Common reassuring answer. 'Nicht' negates 'weit'. In casual speech, 'nicht' may sound like 'nich' in some regions, but the standard pronunciation is 'nikht'.
Zu Fuß sind es zehn Minuten.
It is ten minutes on foot.
tsoo foos zint es tseyn mi-NOO-ten
Standard way to give walking time. 'Zu Fuß' means on foot. Replace 'zehn' with other numbers: fünf (5), zwanzig (20).
Wie lange dauert es mit dem Bus?
How long does it take by bus?
vee LAHNG-uh DOW-ert es mit dem boos
Use 'mit dem Bus' for by bus. For train, say 'mit dem Zug'; for tram, 'mit der Straßenbahn'. This asks for duration, not distance.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Ist es weit von hier?' You can replace 'weit' with other adjectives, but for distance it stays 'weit'. To ask about a specific place, use the name: 'Ist der Bahnhof weit von hier?' (Is the train station far from here?). The answer often uses 'Es ist ...' plus a distance or time: 'Es ist ein Kilometer.' (It is one kilometer.) or 'Es sind fünf Minuten.' (It is five minutes.) Note that German uses 'es ist' for singular distances and 'es sind' for plural units like minutes or kilometers. For example, 'Es sind zehn Minuten' is correct because 'Minuten' is plural. If you want to ask how long it takes, use 'Wie lange dauert es?' (How long does it take?).
When to use it
Use 'Ist es weit von hier?' when you are at a location and want to know if a destination is within walking distance or requires transport. It is neutral and polite, suitable with strangers. If you are asking about a specific place you can see on a map, say 'Ist das weit?' (Is that far?). For time estimates, 'Zu Fuß sind es ... Minuten' is the standard way to say how long it takes on foot. If you are asking about public transport, use 'Wie lange dauert es mit dem Bus?' In Austria and southern Germany, you may hear 'Gehzeit' for walking time, but 'zu Fuß' is understood everywhere. In Switzerland, 'zu Fuss' is spelled with 'ss' instead of 'ß', but pronunciation is the same.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, ist der Hauptbahnhof weit von hier?
Excuse me, is the main train station far from here?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ist dair HOWPT-bahn-hof vahyt fon heerNein, es ist nicht weit. Zu Fuß sind es etwa zehn Minuten.
No, it is not far. On foot it is about ten minutes.nayn, es ist nikht vahyt. tsoo foos zint es ET-vah tseyn mi-NOO-tenDanke. Und wie lange dauert es mit der Straßenbahn?
Thank you. And how long does it take by tram?DAHN-kuh. oont vee LAHNG-uh DOW-ert es mit dair SHTRAH-sen-bahnMit der Straßenbahn sind es nur fünf Minuten.
By tram it is only five minutes.mit dair SHTRAH-sen-bahn zint es noor fewnf mi-NOO-tenA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, people often answer distance questions with time rather than kilometers, especially in cities. Saying 'zehn Minuten' is more common than 'ein Kilometer'. When asking strangers, start with 'Entschuldigung' (Excuse me) to be polite. In formal situations, use 'Sie' forms, but the questions here are neutral and work with both 'du' and 'Sie'. Regional differences: In Austria, 'Gehzeit' is used for walking time. In Switzerland, you may hear 'zu Fuss' and 'Es sind' instead of 'Es ist' for minutes. Always listen for the number and the unit.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Es ist zehn Minuten' instead of 'Es sind zehn Minuten'.
Try this instead: Because 'Minuten' is plural, German uses 'Es sind zehn Minuten.' Use 'Es ist' only for singular units like 'ein Kilometer' or 'eine Stunde'. For example: 'Es ist ein Kilometer' but 'Es sind fünf Minuten.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is it far from here?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ist es weit von hier?
This is the standard question. You can also say 'Ist das weit von hier?' if pointing to a place, but 'Ist es weit von hier?' is the most common.
2Translate: 'It is not far. On foot it is five minutes.'
Show a sample answer
Es ist nicht weit. Zu Fuß sind es fünf Minuten.
Use 'Es ist nicht weit' for the first part. For the second, 'Zu Fuß sind es fünf Minuten' is correct because 'Minuten' is plural. You could also say 'Zu Fuß dauert es fünf Minuten.'
3Ask: 'How long does it take by bus?'
Show a sample answer
Wie lange dauert es mit dem Bus?
This asks for duration. You can also ask 'Wie lange fährt der Bus?' but 'Wie lange dauert es mit dem Bus?' is more general and polite.
To ask about distance in German, use 'Ist es weit von hier?' For time estimates, listen for 'Es sind ... Minuten' or 'Zu Fuß sind es ... Minuten.' Remember that plural units take 'sind', not 'ist'.
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