German Phrase
Wie lange dauert's ungefähr, bis es ankommt?
Meaning
The sentence asks for an estimated time span until something (usually a package, email, or message) arrives. The speaker expects a rough answer rather than an exact number of minutes or hours.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re waiting for a delivery, a shipment, a digital file, or any item that is on its way and you need a ball‑park figure. It works well in casual conversations with friends, customer service agents, or colleagues.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wielangedauert'sungefähr,bisesankommt?
Wie lange
The interrogative phrase ‘Wie lange’ asks about duration and is placed at the beginning of the question.
dauert's
A colloquial contraction of ‘dauert es’. It is common in spoken German but should be avoided in formal writing.
ungefähr
An adverb meaning ‘approximately’; it softens the question and signals that an exact answer is not expected.
bis
A subordinating conjunction that introduces a dependent clause; a comma is required before it.
ankommt
Third‑person singular present of ‘ankommen’ (to arrive). In the subordinate clause the verb goes to the end.
🗨In Conversation
Wie lange dauert's ungefähr, bis es ankommt?
How long does it roughly take until it arrives?
Normalerweise etwa drei bis fünf Werktage.
Usually about three to five business days.
✕Common Mistakes
Wie lange dauert's ungefähr bis es ankommt?
Acceptable in spoken German, but avoid in formal writing; use ‘dauert es’ instead.
Wie lange dauert es ungefähr bis es ankommt?
A comma must separate the main clause from the ‘bis’ subordinate clause.
Wie lange dauert's, bis es ungefähr ankommt?
Placing ‘ungefähr’ after the verb sounds unnatural; keep it before the time estimate.
↔Alternatives
Wie lange dauert es ungefähr, bis es ankommt?
How long does it roughly take until it arrives?
Wie lange wird es ungefähr dauern, bis es ankommt?
How long will it roughly take until it arrives?
Kannst du mir sagen, wie lange es ungefähr dauert, bis es ankommt?
Can you tell me roughly how long it takes until it arrives?
Cultural Tip
German speakers value clarity. In a business or formal setting, prefer the full form ‘Wie lange dauert es …’ and place the comma before ‘bis’. The contraction ‘dauert's’ is perfectly natural in everyday speech, but it can sound too casual in written emails or official inquiries.