Translation guide
To ask about distance, progress, or extent, Japanese uses different expressions depending on context. The most common is どのくらい (dono kurai) or どれくらい (dore kurai), which can mean 'how far' in terms of distance, time, or degree. For physical distance, どのぐらい (dono gurai) is also used. In more formal or written contexts, どの程度 (dono teido) is appropriate. When asking about progress toward a goal, どこまで (doko made) is natural. Note that directly translating 'how far' word-for-word often sounds unnatural.
The speaker wants to know the distance between two points or how far away something is.
A versatile phrase meaning 'how far' or 'how much'. Can be used for distance, time, or quantity. In casual speech, どのぐらい is also common.
ここから駅までどのくらいですか。
How far is it from here to the station?
Similar to どのくらい, but slightly more casual. Often used interchangeably.
家から学校までどれくらいかかりますか。
How far is it from your house to school? (lit. How long does it take?)
A variant of どのくらい, common in spoken Japanese.
東京までどのぐらいですか。
How far is it to Tokyo?
More formal and often used in written language or polite speech. Can also mean 'to what extent'.
目的地までの距離はどの程度ですか。
What is the distance to the destination?
The speaker wants to know how much of a task has been completed or how far along something is.
Literally 'until where', used to ask about progress or the extent of something. Common in work or study contexts.
宿題はどこまで終わりましたか。
How far have you gotten with your homework?
その計画はどこまで進んでいますか。
How far along is that plan?
Can also be used for progress, especially when asking about the amount completed.
The speaker wants to know the degree or limit of a situation, ability, or willingness.
Used to ask about limits or boundaries in abstract senses, like 'how far are you willing to go?'
どこまで本気ですか。
How serious are you? (lit. To what extent are you serious?)
彼はどこまで知っているのだろう。
I wonder how much he knows.
Formal way to ask about degree or extent.
その情報はどの程度信頼できますか。
To what extent can we trust that information?
The phrase 'how far' cannot be directly translated as どう遠い (dō tōi) or similar. Always use the expressions above depending on context.
どのくらい asks about amount or degree, while どこまで asks about a specific point or limit reached. For physical distance, both can be used, but どこまで emphasizes the endpoint.
どのくらい歩きましたか。
How far did you walk? (focus on distance)
どこまで歩きましたか。
How far did you walk? (focus on destination reached)
How much of the report have you written?