En 15 secondes
- Started recently, still happening now.
- Use for new habits or ongoing changes.
- Avoid for past completed actions.
- Neutral formality, widely applicable.
Signification
Cette expression signifie que quelque chose a commencé il n'y a pas si longtemps et se poursuit encore. Considérez-la comme une douce indication d'un changement récent ou d'une nouvelle habitude. Elle dégage une atmosphère de développement continu, comme regarder une plante germer – elle est nouvelle, mais elle grandit certainement !
Exemples clés
3 sur 12Texting a friend about a new hobby
Ich spiele seit kurzem Gitarre.
I've been playing guitar recently.
Instagram caption about a new pet
Unser Haushalt hat seit kurzem ein neues Mitglied! 🐾
Our household has a new member since recently! 🐾
Professional email about a new project phase
Wir arbeiten seit kurzem an der nächsten Phase des Projekts.
We have been working on the next phase of the project since recently.
Contexte culturel
Germans value 'Lebenslanges Lernen' (lifelong learning). Using 'seit kurzem' to describe a new course or skill is very common and respected in social circles. In Swiss German, the equivalent is often 'sit churzem'. The usage remains the same: highlighting a fresh start in a country that values precision. Austrians might use 'seit kurzem' in the context of 'Heuriger' (new wine) season, though they have specific words for the wine itself, the timing of the season is often described this way. In German business culture, 'seit kurzem' is often used in 'Change Management' to introduce new processes without sounding like the old ones were bad.
The 'Still' Test
If you can add the word 'still' to your English sentence (e.g., 'I am still doing it'), use 'seit kurzem'.
Tense Trap
Don't use the Perfect tense. 'Ich habe seit kurzem...' is almost always a mistake for learners.
En 15 secondes
- Started recently, still happening now.
- Use for new habits or ongoing changes.
- Avoid for past completed actions.
- Neutral formality, widely applicable.
What It Means
Seit kurzem is your go-to phrase when you want to say something started happening recently. It's not ancient history, but it's also not something that just happened this very second. It implies a duration, however short, that's still continuing. Imagine you just got a new puppy. You wouldn't say it happened jetzt (now), but seit kurzem fits perfectly. It’s like saying, 'I’ve had this puppy for a little while now, and it’s still a part of my life.'
How To Use It
You use seit kurzem to describe a state or an action that began in the recent past and continues into the present. It's often placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, or after the verb. It's super flexible! You can attach it to verbs, adjectives, or even entire clauses. It’s like adding a little timestamp to your sentence, saying, 'This is all new stuff!' Think of it as a versatile glue for recent events.
Real-Life Examples
- My neighbor
seit kurzemhas a bright pink flamingo in his garden. It’s quite the conversation starter! - I’m
seit kurzemtrying to learn the ukulele. My fingers are sore, but I’m determined! - The cafe down the street has
seit kurzemstarted offering vegan pastries. They’re delicious, by the way. - He’s
seit kurzemwearing glasses. He says he can see much better now.
When To Use It
Use seit kurzem when you want to highlight that something is new, but not *brand* new. It’s for things that have been happening for days, weeks, or maybe a couple of months. It’s perfect for talking about new jobs, new hobbies, new relationships, or recent changes in your life. Did you just start binge-watching a new series? Seit kurzem! Are you seit kurzem a fan of a new band? You bet!
When NOT To Use It
Don't use seit kurzem for things that happened a long time ago. If you learned to ride a bike 20 years ago, that's not seit kurzem. Also, avoid it for events that literally just happened, like catching a ball. For those, gerade or jetzt are better. It’s not for ancient history lessons or instantaneous actions. Your grandpa’s 80th birthday party last year? Definitely not seit kurzem.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up seit kurzem with vor kurzem. Vor kurzem means 'recently' in the past, a completed action. Seit kurzem means 'recently' and it's *still happening*. It's a classic mix-up, like confusing 'I have been learning' with 'I learned'.
(This implies you *finished* learning German recently, which is unlikely! The second means you *are currently* learning.)
(This implies she lived here recently but doesn't anymore. The correct version would be: ✓ Sie wohnt seit kurzem hier. meaning she *still* lives here.)
Similar Expressions
Neuerdings: This is a very close synonym, often interchangeable. It also means 'newly' or 'recently'.In letzter Zeit: Means 'lately' or 'recently', often used for more general trends or feelings.Kürzlich: This is a more general 'recently' and doesn't necessarily imply the action is still ongoing. It's more likevor kurzem.
Common Variations
Sometimes you'll hear seit kurzer Zeit. It means exactly the same thing as seit kurzem – just a slightly longer way to say it. Think of it as the difference between 'a short time' and 'a little while'. Both work! You might also see seit kurzem erst, which adds a bit more emphasis on how *very* recent it is.
Memory Trick
Imagine a tiny seed called kurz (short). It was planted seit (since) yesterday. It's still a tiny sprout, but it's definitely growing! Seit kurzem = since the sprout appeared and is still growing.
Quick FAQ
Q. Is seit kurzem formal or informal?
It's pretty neutral! You can use it in most situations, from chatting with friends to writing a formal email. It’s like the comfortable jeans of time expressions – works almost everywhere!
Q. Can I use it with past events?
Not really. Seit kurzem strongly suggests the action is *still happening*. For past events that are finished, use vor kurzem or kürzlich.
Q. What if something just started this second?
Then seit kurzem might be a bit too broad. Gerade (just now) or jetzt gerade (right now) are better fits for immediate actions.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is generally neutral in formality and can be used in most contexts. The key is remembering that it implies the action or state started recently and is *still ongoing*. Using it for a completed past action is a common beginner mistake.
The 'Still' Test
If you can add the word 'still' to your English sentence (e.g., 'I am still doing it'), use 'seit kurzem'.
Tense Trap
Don't use the Perfect tense. 'Ich habe seit kurzem...' is almost always a mistake for learners.
Add 'erst'
Use 'seit kurzem erst' to sound more native when you want to emphasize how brand new something is.
Small Talk Gold
This is the best phrase for small talk. It allows you to talk about yourself without sounding like you're bragging about long-term expertise.
Exemples
12Ich spiele seit kurzem Gitarre.
I've been playing guitar recently.
Highlights a new hobby that is still being pursued.
Unser Haushalt hat seit kurzem ein neues Mitglied! 🐾
Our household has a new member since recently! 🐾
Emphasizes the recent addition to the family, implying it's still settling in.
Wir arbeiten seit kurzem an der nächsten Phase des Projekts.
We have been working on the next phase of the project since recently.
Indicates the start of a new project stage that is currently underway.
Er arbeitet seit kurzem in der neuen Firma.
He has been working at the new company since recently.
Shows that his employment is recent and ongoing.
Seit kurzem esse ich kein Fleisch mehr.
I haven't eaten meat anymore since recently.
Focuses on a dietary change that is currently being maintained.
✗ Ich habe seit kurzem einen neuen Job. → ✓ Ich habe vor kurzem einen neuen Job.
✗ I have had a new job since recently. → ✓ I got a new job recently.
The first implies the job is *still* new and ongoing, the second implies the *event* of getting the job happened recently.
✗ Sie lebt seit kurzem in Berlin. (Sie ist vor 10 Jahren dorthin gezogen.) → ✓ Sie lebt seit kurzem in Berlin. (Sie ist letzten Monat dorthin gezogen.)
✗ She has lived in Berlin since recently. (She moved there 10 years ago.) → ✓ She has lived in Berlin since recently. (She moved there last month.)
The first implies a very recent move, the second correctly states she still lives there.
Ich erkunde seit kurzem die wunderschöne Küste Portugals!
I've been exploring the beautiful coast of Portugal since recently!
Highlights an ongoing exploration that started not long ago.
Dieser neue Tanz-Trend ist seit kurzem überall!
This new dance trend has been everywhere since recently!
Points out a trend that has emerged and is currently popular.
Seit kurzem fühle ich mich viel besser.
I've been feeling much better since recently.
Expresses an emotional shift that began recently and continues.
Gibt es seit kurzem auch vegetarische Optionen?
Are there also vegetarian options since recently?
Inquires about a new addition to the menu.
In meiner vorherigen Rolle habe ich seit kurzem die Teamleitung übernommen.
In my previous role, I had taken over the team leadership since recently.
Implies the leadership role was recent within that past job and ongoing.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct phrase: 'seit kurzem' or 'vor kurzem'.
Ich lerne ________ Deutsch und kann schon ein bisschen sprechen.
The person is still learning (ongoing), so 'seit kurzem' is correct.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct sentence about a new job.
German uses the present tense with 'seit' for ongoing states.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wohnst du schon lange in Berlin? B: Nein, erst ________.
The question asks about the duration of living there, so 'seit kurzem' (for a short while) fits.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'Wir haben seit kurzem eine neue {die|f} Kaffeemaschine.'
'Seit kurzem' implies a recent start and ongoing use.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Seit vs Vor
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch lerne ________ Deutsch und kann schon ein bisschen sprechen.
The person is still learning (ongoing), so 'seit kurzem' is correct.
Choose the correct sentence about a new job.
German uses the present tense with 'seit' for ongoing states.
A: Wohnst du schon lange in Berlin? B: Nein, erst ________.
The question asks about the duration of living there, so 'seit kurzem' (for a short while) fits.
Sentence: 'Wir haben seit kurzem eine neue {die|f} Kaffeemaschine.'
'Seit kurzem' implies a recent start and ongoing use.
🎉 Score : /4
Tutoriels video
Trouve des tutoriels vidéo sur YouTube pour cette expression.
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, 'seit' requires the dative case, so you must use the inflected form 'kurzem'.
No, both 'seit kurzem' and 'seit Kurzem' are correct. Lowercase is more common in modern usage.
'Neuerdings' is slightly more formal and often refers to a change in general behavior or a new trend.
Yes! 'Ich habe seit kurzem {die|f} Kopfschmerzen' (I've had headaches recently).
It's subjective, but usually implies anything from a few days up to 2-3 months.
Yes, 'Wir kennen uns seit kurzem' means 'We've known each other for a short while'.
Use 'vor kurzem' only if the action is finished (e.g., 'I bought it recently').
Yes, but it's more common in the middle. 'Ich lerne Deutsch seit kurzem' is okay, but 'Ich lerne seit kurzem Deutsch' is better.
Very much so. It's used to describe new projects, software, or team members.
Not at all. It is perfectly neutral and safe for all situations.
Just replace 'kurzem' with 'gestern': 'seit gestern'.
Yes! 'Ich rauche seit kurzem nicht mehr' (I've recently stopped smoking).
Yes, headlines often use it: 'Seit kurzem neue {die|f} Regeln für {der|m} Verkehr'.
Yes, 'Es regnet seit kurzem' (It's been raining for a little while).
Expressions liées
vor kurzem
contrasta short while ago
neuerdings
synonymlately / as of late
seit langem
contrastfor a long time
vorhin
similara little while ago
neulich
similarthe other day
seit eh und je
contrastsince forever
