“Depuis” (pronounced duh-pwee) in French means “since”. This page will guide you through how to use “depuis” in different situations with example sentences. Listen to the audio and repeat!
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since
Since in French – How to use “depuis”
The word “depuis“ is used with the present tense when describing an events that’s been going on for a specified amount of time and continues in the present moment.
Time duration
When followed by a period of time, depuis indicates the duration of an action and means “for” or “has been occurring since”.
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 third 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” 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.
Depuis – conclusion
Félicitations! You have now mastered how to use “depuis” in conversational French! Now you’re ready to learn how to say the date in French!
