Question
I live in Tokyo with my Japanese husband, and he works late some nights. I never know when to start dinner, so I want to text him in Japanese to check. How do I say “What time will you be home?” in Japanese?
Answer by Professional Japanese Teacher
何時に帰る？
Nanji ni kaeru?
What time will you be home?
This is the casual version you’d send to a partner, parent, or sibling: anyone you live with. Nanji means “what time,” and kaeru comes from kaerimasu (to come home). The short ending is what makes it feel like a quick text between family.
If you want it to sound a touch warmer, add no at the end. Nanji ni kaeru no? Same question, gentler tone. You can also pin it to today by saying Kyou wa nanji ni kaeru? (“What time are you coming home today?”).
When you need a polite version — talking to your in-laws about their son, or asking a colleague — use:
何時に帰りますか。
Nanji ni kaerimasu ka.
What time will you be home?