¿desde cuándo?
/ˈdesde ˈkwando/word by word
The English phrase "since when" is translated into Spanish as ¿desde cuándo?
¿desde cuándo? is the most common and generic way to ask "since when" in Spanish.
Meaning: from what time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition desde (since/from) and the interrogative adverb cuándo (when).
Which one should you use?
While ¿desde cuándo? is the general standard, you may use A partir de cuándo when referring to a specific starting point from which an action or event begins. You can also use Desde hace cuánto tiempo to ask how long something has been happening or since when it started.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the phrase ¿Desde cuándo es que…? is commonly used to ask something more explicitly.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, questions must be marked with both an opening and a closing question mark.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdesde ˈkwando/
Did you know?
- The word cuándo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cue', both descending from the Latin 'quando'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, using ¿desde cuándo? with a rising, sharp intonation can transform the question into a sarcastic expression of disbelief, similar to 'Since when do you care?'
- Depending on the region, asking ¿desde cuándo? can be perceived as significantly more confrontational or direct than the English equivalent.
Examples in context
- "Ya no fumo, ¿sabes?" "¿Desde cuándo?" "Hoy hace tres días.""I don't smoke anymore, didn't you know?" "Since when?" "Today makes three days."This example shows how to use ¿desde cuándo? in a conversation about how long it has been since someone stopped smoking.Tatoeba #8390221 by ManuelML, translation #8416200 by cromwellt
- ¿Desde cuándo?Since when?This example shows the phrase ¿desde cuándo? used as a standalone question.Tatoeba #1469821 by marcelostockle, translation #1469822 by AMIKEMA
- Desde cuándo trabaja usted en esta empresa?Since when have you been working at this company?
- Desde hace cuánto tiempo desempeña usted este cargo?Since when have you held this position?
- ¿Desde cuándo estudias español?Since when have you been studying Spanish?
- ¿Desde cuándo es que andas con María?Since when have you been dating María?
- ¿Desde cuándo estudias en esta universidad?Since when have you been studying at this university?
- Desde hace cuánto tiempo vives en esta ciudad tan hermosa?Since when have you been living in this beautiful city?
- ¿Desde cuándo es que hablas español con tanta fluidez?Since when have you been speaking Spanish so fluently?
- ¿Desde cuándo trabajas en el departamento de ventas?Since when have you been working in the sales department?
- ¿Desde cuándo es que tú y Ana son amigos?Since when have you and Ana been friends?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “since when” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (desde, cuándo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuándo, desde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
