“Since When” and “How Long” in Italian
In Italian, just like in English, you can decide whether you want to gain information about the duration of an event, or the moment when that event started.
These two expressions are, respectively, da quanto tempo (how long) and da quando (since when).
The first one is used to inquire about the amount of time an action or event has been going on, while the second one is used to ask about the starting point of an action or event.
You will notice throughout this article that in both expressions da quando and da quanto tempo, the verbs that are used are conjugated in the present tense, because the expressions are used to refer to actions or events that are still going on in the present.
Since When or How Long?
“Since When” in Italian
The expression da quando is used to ask about the moment when an action or event has started, and it is translatable with the English expression “since when”.
This use determines the point in time when something began, usually referring to ongoing situations or actions. For example, you might ask:
Da quando sei in Italia?
Since when have you been in Italy?
“How Long” in Italian
The expression da quanto tempo is used to ask questions about quantity of time and duration, and corresponds to the English expression “for how long”.
For example:
Da quanto tempo studi italiano?
For how long have you been studying Italian?
This expression is particularly useful in probing the length of time something has been ongoing.
How to use “Da Quanto Tempo” and “Da quando”
Da Quanto Tempo?
As we said, this expression is used to ask about the duration of an activity or state.
In Italian, we use da quanto tempo, da quanto, or da quanto è che + verb and we can omit the word tempo (time) because it’s pretty obvious you’re talking about time.
Here are some examples:
Da quanto tempo parli inglese?
For how long have have you been speaking talian?
Da quanto (tempo) abiti in Spagna?
For how long have you been living in Spain?
Da quanto (tempo) è che siete insieme?
For how long have you been together?
Da Quando?
As mentioned, this expression is used to inquire about the starting point of an activity or condition.
Here are some examples:
Da quando lavori qui?
Since when do you work here?
Da quando sei diventato vegetariano?
Since when have you become vegetarian?
Da quando abiti in Spagna?
Since when do you live in Spain?
Answering Questions
Both phrases help to frame questions about time, with da quanto tempo focusing on the duration of an ongoing activity and da quando pinpointing the initiation of a change or an activity.
Understanding when to use each will help you converse more naturally and clearly in Italian, especially when discussing temporal aspects of life and experiences.
To answer questions with these expressions, in Italian we need the preposition da followed by either the amount of time or the specific moment in time.
Let’s now have a look at some possible answers:
Parlo inglese da 3 anni / Parlo inglese dal 2017.
I’ve spoken English for 3 years. / I’ve spoken English since 2017.
Abito in Spagna da un anno. / Abito in Spagna dall’anno scorso.
I’ve lived in Spain for a year. / I’ve lived in Spain since last year.
Stiamo insieme da 5 anni. / Stiamo insieme dal 2015.
We’ve been together for 5 years. / We’ve been together since 2015.
