7.1. Depuis quand ?

Asking How Long and Since When

7.1.1. The Main Idea

To ask how long something has been happening, French often uses depuis, meaning for or since.

Depuis combien de temps ?	For how long?
Depuis quand ?	Since when?

In French, depuis is often used with the present tense when the action is still happening now.

7.1.2. Main Questions

Depuis combien de temps tu étudies le français ?	How long have you been studying French?
Depuis quand tu étudies le français ?	Since when have you been studying French?
Tu habites à Calgary depuis combien de temps ?	How long have you been living in Calgary?
Tu travailles ici depuis quand ?	Since when have you been working here?

7.1.3. Formal Questions

Depuis combien de temps est-ce que vous étudiez le français ?	How long have you been studying French?
Depuis quand est-ce que vous habitez ici ?	Since when have you been living here?
Vous travaillez ici depuis combien de temps ?	How long have you been working here?
Vous habitez à Calgary depuis quand ?	Since when have you been living in Calgary?

7.1.4. Answering with Depuis + Time Period

Use depuis + amount of time to say for + amount of time.

J’étudie le français depuis un an.	I have been studying French for one year.
J’habite à Calgary depuis deux ans.	I have been living in Calgary for two years.
Je travaille ici depuis trois mois.	I have been working here for three months.
Je fais du sport depuis six mois.	I have been exercising for six months.

7.1.5. Answering with Depuis + Starting Point

Use depuis + starting point to say since + starting point.

J’étudie le français depuis septembre.	I have been studying French since September.
J’habite ici depuis 2024.	I have been living here since 2024.
Je travaille ici depuis lundi.	I have been working here since Monday.
Je fais du sport depuis janvier.	I have been exercising since January.

7.1.6. Important Difference from English

English often uses have been + -ing.

I have been studying French for one year.	J’étudie le français depuis un an.
I have been living in Calgary since 2024.	J’habite à Calgary depuis 2024.

French usually keeps the verb in the present tense when the action is still true now.

7.1.7. Time Expressions

un jour	one day
une semaine	one week
un mois	one month
un an	one year
deux jours	two days
trois semaines	three weeks
quatre mois	four months
cinq ans	five years
longtemps	a long time

7.1.8. More Examples

Je suis à Calgary depuis deux ans.	I have been in Calgary for two years.
Je connais Marie depuis longtemps.	I have known Marie for a long time.
Je parle français depuis six mois.	I have been speaking French for six months.
Je porte ce chapeau depuis ce matin.	I have been wearing this hat since this morning.
Je ne travaille plus ici depuis janvier.	I have not worked here since January.

7.1.9. Core Patterns

Depuis combien de temps ?	For how long?
Depuis quand ?	Since when?
present tense + depuis + time period	have been ___ for ___
present tense + depuis + starting point	have been ___ since ___
J’étudie depuis un an.	I have been studying for one year.
J’habite ici depuis 2024.	I have been living here since 2024.

7.1.10. Practice

How long have you been studying French? |

Since when have you lived here? |

I have been studying French for one year. |

I have lived in Calgary for two years. |

I have worked here for three months. |

I have exercised since January. |

I have known Marie for a long time. |

7.1.11. Answers

How long have you been studying French?	Depuis combien de temps tu étudies le français ?
Since when have you lived here?	Depuis quand tu habites ici ?
I have been studying French for one year.	J’étudie le français depuis un an.
I have lived in Calgary for two years.	J’habite à Calgary depuis deux ans.
I have worked here for three months.	Je travaille ici depuis trois mois.
I have exercised since January.	Je fais du sport depuis janvier.
I have known Marie for a long time.	Je connais Marie depuis longtemps.

7.1.12. Short Dialogue

A : Depuis combien de temps tu étudies le français ?	A: How long have you been studying French?
B : J’étudie le français depuis un an. Et toi ?	B: I have been studying French for one year. And you?
A : Moi, j’étudie le français depuis septembre.	A: I have been studying French since September.
B : Très bien !	B: Very good!

7.1.13. Checkpoint

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to ask how long with depuis combien de temps, ask since when with depuis quand, and answer with depuis + time period or depuis + starting point.