何時に閉まりますか？
nanji ni shimarimasu ka?
The English phrase "what time do you close?" is expressed in Japanese as 何時に閉まりますか？ (nanji ni shimarimasu ka?)
This phrase is used to ask for the closing time of a business or establishment.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression 何時に (nanji ni) literally means "at what time".
Which one should you use?
A common alternative is 何時までですか？, which literally means "until what time is it?" You may also see the phrase 何時に閉めますか？ The intransitive version is more natural for a customer to use.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 何時に閉まりますか？ is polite and standard for asking staff at a shop or restaurant. For more formal situations, you can use いつ閉店しますか？ or 閉店時間は何時ですか？ to ask for the closing hours. For informal situations, you can use 何時に閉まるの？ or 閉店は何時？
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle に (ni) is required after the time expression to indicate the specific point in time when the action occurs.
How do you pronounce it?
nanji ni shimarimasu ka?
Did you know?
- If a shop is closed for a break, the sign will not use 閉まる (shimaru) but instead 準備中 (junbi-chū), which literally means 'currently preparing'.
- While 何時に閉まりますか？ asks when the shop closes, customers often ask about the ラストオーダー (last order) instead. This is because many Japanese restaurants stop taking food orders 30 to 60 minutes before the actual closing time.
- When searching for a shop's operating hours online, you might see the term 営業中 (eigyō-chū) instead of anything related to 'closing'. This means 'currently in business' and is the standard way to indicate a shop is open.
Examples in context
- この店は、何時に閉まりますか？Kono mise wa, nanji ni shimarimasu ka?What time does this shop close?
- 銀行は何時に閉まりますか？Ginkou wa nanji ni shimarimasu ka?What time does the bank close?
Example conversation
Ren is asking a staff member at a bookstore.
- 蓮 Renすみません、何時に閉まりますか？sumimasen, nanji ni shimarimasu ka?Excuse me, what time do you close?
- 美咲 Misaki夜の八時に閉まります。yoru no hachiji ni shimarimasu.We close at eight in the evening.
- 蓮 Renわかりました。ありがとうございます。wakarimashita. arigatou gozaimasu.I understand. Thank you very much.
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、またお待ちしております。iie, mata omachi shite orimasu.You're welcome, we look forward to seeing you again.
