depuis quand
The French phrase for "since when" is depuis quand.
depuis quand is used to ask about the starting point of an ongoing situation. Similar to its use in English, it can be used rhetorically to express surprise, skepticism or indignation when someone mentions a new rule or a change in a situation.
Meaning: from what time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of depuis, meaning "since" or "for" and quand, meaning "when".
Which one should you use?
While depuis quand asks for the starting point of an ongoing state, the word quand alone simply asks for a specific point in time without implying that the state is still continuing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Quebec, you may hear the variation Ça fait depuis quand…
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, depuis quand is typically used with the present tense to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present.
Did you know?
- The word depuis is a linguistic hybrid, combining the Latin preposition 'de' with the Old French word 'puis', which is a descendant of the Latin 'post', meaning 'after'.
- In French, depuis quand is paired with the present tense, whereas an English speaker would naturally use the present perfect 'have you' to ask the same question.
- The word depuis is a linguistic 'double agent' because it is used both for a specific starting point, like 'since Monday', and for a duration, like 'for two hours'.
Examples in context
- Depuis quand venez-vous ici ?Since when have you been coming here?This sentence shows how to use depuis quand to ask about the frequency of a visit.Tatoeba #9995818 by Julien_PDC, translation #12757261 by rul
- Depuis quand est-ce un crime ?Since when is that a crime?This sentence shows a rhetorical use of depuis quand to express indignation about a rule.Tatoeba #12949066 by lbdx, translation #10087098 by ddnktr
- Depuis quand êtes-vous au Japon ?Since when are you in Japan?This sentence shows how to use depuis quand to ask about the duration of a stay in a country.Tatoeba #2364415 by Amastan, translation #9043543 by Nylez
- Depuis quand attends-tu cette nouvelle?Since when have you been waiting for this news?
- Depuis combien de temps travaillez-vous ici?Since when have you been working here?
- Depuis quand tu joues de la guitare?Since when have you been playing guitar?
- Depuis quand est-ce que vous vous connaissez?Since when have you known each other?
- Depuis quand est-ce que tu chantes dans cette chorale?Since when have you been singing in this choir?
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are talking about Emma's new hobby.
- GabrielTu fais du yoga ?Do you do yoga?
- EmmaOui, j'adore ça.Yes, I love it.
- GabrielDepuis quand pratiques-tu le yoga ?Since when have you been practicing yoga?
- EmmaDepuis seulement deux mois.For only two months.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “since when” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries depuis, quand, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
