Which one should you use?
Use desde when you are following it with a specific point in time like a date or a day. If you are expressing 'since' followed by a duration or length of time, such as 'for three years', you should use the phrase desde hace instead.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When 'since' is followed by a subject and a verb (a clause) rather than just a noun or a time expression, you should use desde que instead of desde. Additionally, use desde hace to mean 'for' when referring to a period of time. For example, use desde for a specific point in time and desde hace for a duration.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdesde/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use desde when you want to say 'for' followed by a duration of time. Use desde hace instead. Also, do not use desde if 'since' is followed by a clause. Use desde que instead.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the phrase desde luego is commonly used to mean 'of course' or 'certainly', even though it literally translates to 'since then'.
- The word desde evolved from a combination of the Late Latin prepositions de and ex, both of which indicate movement away from a source.
- Using desde with the present tense describes an action that started in the past and continues now, a construction that requires the present perfect 'have been' in English.
Examples in context
- Hablo ruso desde 2003.I have spoken Russian since 2003.This sentence shows how to use desde with a specific year.Tatoeba #13816233 by Seael, translation #13816231 by tieguy
- ¿La conoces desde 1990?Have you known her since 1990?Tatoeba #1368394 by marcelostockle, translation #70267 by CK
- Llueve desde el martes.It has been raining since Tuesday.This sentence shows how to use desde with a specific day of the week.Tatoeba #1719598 by termito2nd, translation #23784 by CN
- Desde que llegué temprano, he tenido tiempo para organizar todo.Since I arrived early, I've had time to organize everything.
- Trabajo desde que terminé la universidad.I've been working since I finished college.
- Vivo aquí desde hace tres años.I've been living here for three years.
- No te he visto desde que saliste de vacaciones.I haven't seen you since you went on vacation.
- Desde que estudias más, tus notas han mejorado.Since you study more, your grades have improved.
- La empresa abrirá una nueva sucursal a partir de enero.The company will open a new branch starting in January.
- No nos hemos visto desde que fuimos al concierto.We haven't seen each other since we went to the concert.
- 467 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about their work.
- JavierTrabajo aquí desde el lunes.I have been working here since Monday.
- María¿Desde cuándo estás en esta oficina?Since when have you been in this office?
- JavierEstoy aquí desde las ocho de la mañana.I have been here since eight in the morning.
- María¡Qué cansado debe ser para ti!That must be tiring for you!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “since” translations and entries desde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
