“How long” and “since when”: Italian grammar lesson 16

Start here

You’ll receive my free resources together with my best offers! Opt out at any time.

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free lesson and other resources.

I’ll take you to your shiny new student dashboard.

How to use how long and since when in Italian?

In Italian, there are different ways to ask about the duration of an action or event.

Two common expressions used for this purpose are da quanto tempo (how long) and da quando (since when).

The first one is used to inquire about the length of time an action has been going on or how long something will last.

On the other hand, the second one is used to ask about the starting point of an action or event.

In today’s grammar lesson we’ll focus on the expression da quanto tempo and its variations.

How to ask da quanto tempo?

In Italian, we use da quanto tempo, da quanto, or da quanto è che + verb when we want to ask How long…? or Since when..?

These are all common expressions you’ll hear when visiting Italy.

As you can see, you don’t always need the word tempo (time) since it’s pretty obvious you’re talking about time. The last option is the more colloquial one.

Here are some examples:

Da quanto tempo parli inglese?

Since when do you speak Italian?

Da quanto abiti in Spagna?

Since when do you live in Spain?

Da quanto è che siete insieme?

How long have you been together?

Since when in Italian

How to answer da quanto tempo?

In English, we either answer with since or wish for. In Italian, we need the word da followed by either the amount of time or the specific moment in time.

Free Guide
How to Learn Languages Fast

You’ll also notice we use the present tense in both cases.

Let’s now have a look at some possible answers:

Parlo inglese da 3 anni. O Parlo inglese dal 2017.

I’ve spoken English for 3 years. Or  I’ve spoken English since 2017.

Abito in Spagna da un anno. O Abito in Spagna dall’anno scorso.

I’ve lived in Spain for a year. O I’ve lived in Spain since last year.

Siamo insieme da 5 anni. O Siamo insieme dal 2015.

We’ve been together for 5 years.  Or We’ve been together since 2015.

How long in Italian

Still translating in your head? Wanna speak Italian for real? Check out Stefano's courses to think directly in Italian and become fluent fast!

FAQs on “How long” and “since when”: Italian grammar lesson 16

Stefano

Italian language tutor, course author, and polyglot. After learning 12 languages, I can tell you that we all master languages by listening and mimicking. With my method, you'll be speaking Italian from Lesson 1.

Follow me to fluency​

Receive my free resources once a week together with my best offers! 

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free lesson and other resources.

I’ll take you to your shiny new student dashboard.

2 Responses

    1. Ciao Lori!

      We will check what is going on and will let you know!

      We’re sorry for the inconvenience.

Leave a Reply

Share:

Still translating in your head?

Wanna speak Italian for real? Check out Stefano’s courses to think directly in Italian and become fluent fast!
[mwai_chatbot_v2 id="support"]
Try my courses
for free​
ripeti con me mockup sm

Let me show you around

How long to fluency?

Find out how long it will take you to master Italian!
Get on the right track in 3 minutes.

dolce vita logo

We're already friends!

Coming from Luca and Marina?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
all language resources

We're already friends!

Coming from All Language Resources?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
GRAB A COUPON NOW, REDEEM IT LATER
50% OFF

To receive free resources once a week together with my best offers, just tell me where to send everything. Opt out at any time.

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free lesson and other resources.

I’ll take you to your shiny new student dashboard.