Today we’ll look at the preposition depuis, which means “since”. In certain situations it can also mean “for” as in how long and action has been occurring. Je suis ces leçons depuis très longtemps! I’ve been follwing these lessons for a very long time!

depuis – [dəpɥi]

since

Since in French – How to use “depuis”

Time duration

When followed by a period of time and used with the present (indicative) tense, depuis indicates how long an action has been occurring and means “for” .

J’apprends le français depuis deux ans.

I have been learning French for two years.

Event specified date

When followed by an event or specified date, depuis indicates since or “has occurred since”.

Tu joues au tennis depuis ton cinqième anniversaire.

You have played tennis since your fifth birthday.

Asking how long

To ask “how long?” and action has been taking place, use the expression “depuis combien de temps?”.

Depuis combien de temps habitez-vous en France?

How long have you been living in France?

Events which haven’t occurred since a specified time

If an event has not occurred since (or for) a certain amount of time, “depuis” is used with the passé composé, a commonly used French past tense. What follows “depuis” can be both a duration of time or specific year or date.

Je n’ai pas fumé depuis neuf ans.

I haven’t smoked for nine years.

Je n’ai pas fumé depuis 2013.

I haven’t smoked since 2013.

Vantage point

Depuis can also be used to mean “from”, in the context of “from a specific vantage point”.

On voit la mer depuis le sommet de la montagne.

You can see the sea from the mountain summit.

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

See Full Bio