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A1 preposition #800 가장 일반적인 10분 분량

depuis

상위 800

At the A1 level, you learn 'depuis' as a simple way to say 'for' or 'since' when talking about your life. You use it with the present tense to tell people how long you have been doing something. For example, 'J'habite à Londres depuis deux ans' (I have lived in London for two years). The most important thing to remember at this level is that even though you are talking about the past, you use the present tense verb because you are still doing the action now. You will also learn to ask simple questions like 'Depuis quand ?' (Since when?). You should focus on basic time markers like 'hier' (yesterday), 'ce matin' (this morning), and numbers of hours or years. Avoid overcomplicating it; just think of it as a bridge from the past to your current moment.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'depuis' in more varied contexts, including the conjunction 'depuis que'. This allows you to link two sentences together, such as 'Depuis que je suis en France, je parle mieux français' (Since I have been in France, I speak French better). You also start to distinguish 'depuis' from 'il y a' (ago) and 'pendant' (for a completed time). You will practice using it with negative sentences in the passé composé to say how long it has been since something last happened: 'Je n'ai pas mangé depuis ce matin'. You also learn to use 'depuis' with the 'imparfait' for the first time to set the scene in a story, though this remains a secondary focus until B1.

At the B1 level, you master the nuances of 'depuis' vs. other time prepositions. You are expected to use the 'imparfait' correctly with 'depuis' to describe background actions in the past: 'Il travaillait là depuis trois ans quand l'usine a fermé' (He had been working there for three years when the factory closed). You also learn more idiomatic expressions like 'depuis toujours' or 'depuis peu'. You should be able to handle 'depuis' in complex sentences and understand its use in professional contexts, such as resumes or formal introductions. You also start to see 'depuis' used spatially ('depuis ma fenêtre') and understand the subtle difference between 'depuis' and 'dès'.

At the B2 level, you use 'depuis' with total confidence in both spoken and written French. You understand the rhetorical power of placing 'depuis' at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. You can navigate the subtle difference between 'depuis que' followed by the present vs. the passé composé. You also recognize the formal alternative 'depuis lors' and can use it to maintain cohesion in long essays. You are aware of how 'depuis' interacts with the 'plus-que-parfait' in hypothetical or complex narrative structures. Your use of 'depuis' helps you provide deep context in arguments, such as 'Depuis la mise en place de cette loi, les résultats sont mitigés'.

At the C1 level, you appreciate the stylistic nuances of 'depuis'. You can use it to express irony or frustration in sophisticated ways. You understand its role in historical texts where it might be used to track long-term societal shifts. You are comfortable with the 'liaison' rules in formal speech (e.g., the 's' in 'depuis' remains silent before a consonant but can be heard in very formal 'liaison facultative' before a vowel, though rare). You can distinguish between 'depuis' and 'à dater de' in legal or administrative contexts. Your mastery allows you to use 'depuis' to create a sense of continuity or rupture in high-level literary analysis or business reporting.

At the C2 level, 'depuis' is a tool for precision. You can use it in highly technical or archaic contexts if necessary. You understand the etymological roots (de + post) and how that influences its behavior in Romance languages. You can use 'depuis' in complex philosophical discussions about the nature of time and duration (Bergsonian 'durée'). You are able to identify and correct even the most subtle misuses of the word in others' writing. You use 'depuis' to weave together intricate timelines in creative writing, using the full range of French tenses (including the 'passé simple' in relative clauses following 'depuis que') to achieve specific literary effects.

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

depuis 30초 만에

Depuis means 'since' or 'for' when an action is still ongoing in the present.
Always use the present tense in French for actions that started in the past but haven't finished.
Use 'depuis quand' for a point in time and 'depuis combien de temps' for a duration.
In negative sentences with the passé composé, it shows how long something hasn't happened.

The French preposition depuis is a cornerstone of temporal expression in the French language, primarily serving to indicate the starting point or the duration of an action that began in the past and continues into the present. For English speakers, depuis is often a source of confusion because it translates to both 'since' and 'for' depending on the context. In English, we distinguish between a point in time ('since Monday') and a duration ('for three days'), but French uses depuis for both, provided the action is still ongoing. This word is ubiquitous in daily conversation, formal writing, and media, as it anchors the speaker's current state to their history.

Point in Time: When followed by a specific date, time, or event, it translates as 'since'. For example, 'depuis 1998' or 'depuis son arrivée'.
Duration: When followed by a quantity of time, it translates as 'for'. For example, 'depuis trois heures' (for three hours).

Je travaille ici depuis six mois.

Translation: I have been working here for six months.

Understanding depuis requires a shift in how you perceive tense. In English, we use the Present Perfect ('I have been') for ongoing actions. In French, because the action is still happening now, the present tense is used. This is the most critical rule for learners to internalize. If you say 'J'ai habité ici depuis deux ans', a French person might understand you, but it sounds grammatically incorrect because the passé composé implies the action is finished, which contradicts the meaning of depuis.

Il pleut depuis ce matin.

Beyond simple prepositions, depuis can also function as a conjunction when paired with que. 'Depuis que' introduces a subordinate clause and usually requires the indicative mood. This allows for more complex storytelling, linking two distinct events in time. For instance, 'Depuis qu'il est parti, tout a changé' (Since he left, everything has changed). Here, the starting point is a specific completed action (his departure), but the state of 'everything being changed' continues to the present.

Spatial Use: Though primarily temporal, depuis can occasionally indicate a physical starting point, though 'de' or 'à partir de' are more common. You might see it in 'depuis ma fenêtre' (from my window).

On peut voir la mer depuis le balcon.

The syntax of depuis is relatively straightforward but requires attention to the verb tense. The most common structure is: Subject + Verb (Present) + depuis + [Time/Event]. This structure covers about 80% of daily usage. However, as you advance, you will encounter depuis with the imparfait to describe an action that had been going on for a while when another event interrupted it. This is equivalent to the English Past Perfect Continuous ('I had been waiting for...').

Present Tense Usage: Used for actions starting in the past and continuing now. 'Elle étudie le français depuis deux ans.'
Imparfait Usage: Used for actions that were ongoing in the past. 'J'attendais depuis une heure quand il est enfin arrivé.'

Nous habitons à Paris depuis 2015.

Another nuance involves the position of depuis. While it usually follows the verb, it can be placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, especially in literary or journalistic contexts. 'Depuis des siècles, cette tradition perdure.' (For centuries, this tradition has endured). When asking questions about duration, you use 'Depuis quand...?' (Since when...?) for a point in time, or 'Depuis combien de temps...?' (For how long...?) for a duration. Both are essential for fluid conversation.

Depuis quand est-ce que tu es malade ?

In negative sentences, depuis behaves slightly differently. If you use the passé composé with a negation, you are emphasizing the period during which an action has not occurred. 'Je ne l'ai pas vu depuis longtemps' (I haven't seen him for a long time). This is a rare case where depuis pairs with a past tense for an ongoing state (the state of not seeing him). If you used the present tense 'Je ne le vois pas depuis...', it would sound like you are currently in the process of not seeing him, which is less common.

Depuis que + Clause: Requires a subject and a verb. 'Depuis que je suis enfant, j'aime le chocolat.'

Depuis combien de temps étudiez-vous ?

You will hear depuis in almost every facet of French life. In the professional world, it is used to describe tenure or project timelines. In news broadcasts, journalists use it to provide context for ongoing social movements or economic trends. In romantic songs, it is the word of choice to describe how long a lover has been pining. It is a word that bridges the gap between 'once upon a time' and 'right now'.

At the Office: 'Je suis dans cette entreprise depuis dix ans.' (I've been at this company for ten years.)
In the News: 'La grève continue depuis mardi dernier.' (The strike has been continuing since last Tuesday.)

Il y a du bruit depuis ce matin dans la rue.

In casual conversation, depuis is often shortened or used in set phrases like 'depuis toujours' (always/since forever) or 'depuis peu' (recently/for a short while). If you are catching up with a friend, they might ask 'Quoi de neuf depuis la dernière fois ?' (What's new since last time?). It is also common in weather reports: 'Il fait chaud depuis une semaine'. The word is so functional that it rarely carries a heavy emotional weight unless emphasized by the speaker's tone.

Je te cherche depuis partout !

In literature and cinema, depuis sets the stage. A narrator might begin with 'Depuis que le vieux roi est mort...' to establish the timeline of the story. In movies, you'll hear it in dialogue to establish relationships: 'On est amis depuis le lycée' (We've been friends since high school). It is also used in the spatial sense in descriptions: 'Depuis le sommet de la tour, on voit tout Paris'. This versatility makes it one of the most high-frequency words in the language.

In Music: Listen for it in songs by Edith Piaf or Charles Aznavour to hear how the 's' is often silent unless followed by a vowel (liaison).

Tout va mieux depuis que tu es là.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with depuis is using the wrong verb tense. Because English uses the Present Perfect ('I have been'), learners instinctively want to use the passé composé. Remember: if the action is still happening, you must use the present tense. Saying 'J'ai été ici depuis une heure' is a literal translation of 'I have been here for an hour', but in French, it sounds like you are no longer there.

Mistake: Tense Error: Incorrect: J'ai habité ici depuis 2010. Correct: J'habite ici depuis 2010.
Mistake: Using 'Pour': Learners often use 'pour' for duration. 'Pour' is only for intended future duration. 'Je pars pour trois jours'. Never use 'pour' for past duration.

Attention : Ne dites pas 'pour' quand l'action a déjà commencé ! Utilisez depuis.

Another common pitfall is the confusion between depuis and il y a. While both relate to the past, il y a means 'ago' and refers to a single point in time that is finished. 'Je suis arrivé il y a dix minutes' (I arrived ten minutes ago). You cannot say 'Je suis arrivé depuis dix minutes' unless you mean 'I have been in the state of having arrived for ten minutes', which is awkward. Use il y a for the 'when' and depuis for the 'how long'.

Incorrect: Il y a deux ans que je travaille ici. (Possible, but depuis is better).

Finally, watch out for pendant. Pendant is used for a duration that has a clear beginning and end, usually in the past or as a general fact. 'Pendant l'été, il fait chaud.' 'J'ai étudié pendant trois heures' (and then I stopped). If you use depuis, you are implying that the studying is still happening. Mixing these up can lead to confusion about whether you are still busy or available to talk.

Mistake: Depuis vs Dès: 'Dès' means 'as soon as' or 'starting right from'. 'Depuis' is more about the duration that follows.

Je ne fume plus depuis un mois. (Ongoing state of not smoking).

While depuis is the most versatile word for 'since/for', several other expressions can be used to add variety or precision to your French. Depending on whether you want to emphasize the starting point, the duration, or the fact that the time has 'passed', you might choose a different construction. Understanding these alternatives will make your French sound more sophisticated and natural.

Ça fait ... que / Voilà ... que: These are very common informal alternatives to depuis. 'Ça fait trois ans que j'habite ici' is the same as 'J'habite ici depuis trois ans'. It places the duration at the start of the sentence for emphasis.
Il y a ... que: Similar to 'ça fait... que', this is used to express duration. 'Il y a longtemps que je ne t'ai pas vu.'
Dès: Means 'as early as' or 'starting from'. Use this when the focus is on how early something started. 'Dès l'aube, il était debout.'

Ça fait deux heures qu'on attend ! (More emphatic than 'depuis deux heures').

For spatial contexts, depuis can be replaced by à partir de (starting from) or simply de (from). 'À partir de demain' (Starting tomorrow) is often used for future plans where depuis would be incorrect. If you are talking about a location, 'de' is usually sufficient: 'Je viens de Paris'. Use depuis only if you want to emphasize the perspective or the continuous view from a point.

Il est parti en 2020 ; depuis lors, nous n'avons plus de nouvelles.

In terms of duration, pendant and durant are synonyms, but durant is slightly more formal. Both differ from depuis because they imply the action is either a general truth or a completed event. If you say 'J'ai travaillé durant la nuit', it is over. If you say 'Je travaille depuis la nuit', you are still working as the sun comes up. Choosing the right word defines the 'life' of the action you are describing.

À partir de: Used for a starting point in the future. 'À partir de lundi, je fais du sport.'

Voilà dix minutes que je t'appelle !

How Formal Is It?

격식체

"Depuis la mise en œuvre de la réforme, nous constatons des progrès."

중립

"J'habite ici depuis trois ans."

비격식체

"Ça fait un bail qu'on s'est pas vus !"

Child friendly

"J'attends le Père Noël depuis ce matin !"

속어

"Je suis sur le coup depuis perpète."

재미있는 사실

In Old French, it was often written as 'depuiz'. The 's' was added later to align with other adverbs ending in 's', but it was never intended to be pronounced.

발음 가이드

UK /də.pɥi/

US /də.pwi/

The stress is equal on both syllables, though the final 'i' sound is slightly more prominent.

라임이 맞는 단어

appui ennui lui nuit parapluie puis réjoui suis

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing the final 's'.
Pronouncing the 'u' like the 'oo' in 'food'. It should be the French 'u' (lips rounded for 'oo' but tongue saying 'ee').
Making the 'e' too long.

난이도

독해 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

쓰기 3/5

Requires remembering the present tense rule.

말하기 3/5

Liaison and tense choice can be tricky in real-time.

듣기 2/5

Clear sound, but must distinguish from 'puis'.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

Il y a Pendant Maintenant Temps Heure

다음에 배울 것

Depuis que Dès que À partir de Jusqu'à En train de

고급

Dorénavant Désormais Depuis lors Il y a ... que

알아야 할 문법

Present Tense for Ongoing Actions

J'étudie depuis une heure.

Imparfait for Past Ongoing Actions

J'étudiais depuis une heure quand il est venu.

Negative Passé Composé for Absence of Action

Je n'ai pas mangé depuis hier.

Depuis que + Indicative

Depuis qu'il est là, tout va bien.

Depuis vs Pendant

Depuis (ongoing) vs Pendant (completed).

수준별 예문

J'habite ici depuis un an.

I have lived here for one year.

Uses present tense 'habite' for ongoing action.

Il pleut depuis ce matin.

It has been raining since this morning.

Point in time: 'ce matin'.

Je t'attends depuis dix minutes.

I have been waiting for you for ten minutes.

Duration: 'dix minutes'.

Elle apprend le français depuis lundi.

She has been learning French since Monday.

Specific day as a starting point.

Depuis quand es-tu là ?

Since when have you been there?

Question form for point in time.

Nous sommes amis depuis l'école.

We have been friends since school.

Event as a starting point.

Il travaille depuis huit heures.

He has been working since eight o'clock.

Specific time.

Je cherche mes clés depuis une heure.

I have been looking for my keys for an hour.

Ongoing search in the present tense.

Depuis que je suis petit, j'aime le sport.

Since I was little, I have loved sports.

Conjunction 'depuis que' + clause.

Je n'ai pas fumé depuis un mois.

I haven't smoked for a month.

Negative passé composé for duration of absence.

Depuis combien de temps étudies-tu ?

For how long have you been studying?

Question form for duration.

Il fait froid depuis hier soir.

It has been cold since yesterday evening.

Compound time marker 'hier soir'.

Depuis que tu es là, je suis heureux.

Since you've been here, I'm happy.

Expressing a change in state.

Je connais Marie depuis longtemps.

I have known Marie for a long time.

Adverbial phrase 'depuis longtemps'.

Depuis peu, il fait du yoga.

Recently, he has been doing yoga.

Idiom 'depuis peu' (for a short time).

On ne s'est pas parlé depuis Noël.

We haven't spoken since Christmas.

Reflexive verb in negative passé composé.

Il travaillait depuis deux heures quand le téléphone a sonné.

He had been working for two hours when the phone rang.

Imparfait + depuis for interrupted action.

Depuis toujours, elle rêve de voyager.

She has always dreamed of traveling.

Idiom 'depuis toujours' for lifelong duration.

Je n'ai rien mangé depuis mon arrivée.

I haven't eaten anything since my arrival.

Noun 'arrivée' as a starting point.

Depuis que le prix a augmenté, j'achète moins.

Since the price increased, I buy less.

Cause and effect with 'depuis que'.

On peut voir les Alpes depuis ce balcon.

One can see the Alps from this balcony.

Spatial use of 'depuis'.

Depuis lors, il refuse de me parler.

Since then, he refuses to talk to me.

Formal adverbial 'depuis lors'.

Je t'écris depuis ma chambre d'hôtel.

I am writing to you from my hotel room.

Spatial starting point.

Elle ne dort plus depuis qu'elle a vu ce film.

She hasn't been sleeping since she saw that movie.

Ongoing negative state.

Depuis des siècles, le fleuve coule vers la mer.

For centuries, the river has flowed toward the sea.

Emphasis by placing 'depuis' at the start.

Depuis que la loi est passée, le chômage baisse.

Since the law passed, unemployment has been falling.

Journalistic use for socio-economic trends.

Il ne m'avait pas écrit depuis son départ pour l'Asie.

He hadn't written to me since his departure for Asia.

Plus-que-parfait with 'depuis'.

Depuis quand vous permettez-vous de me parler ainsi ?

Since when do you allow yourself to speak to me like that?

Rhetorical question expressing indignation.

Depuis que j'ai commencé ce livre, je ne peux plus le lâcher.

Since I started this book, I haven't been able to put it down.

Expressing obsession or continuity.

La situation s'est dégradée depuis votre intervention.

The situation has worsened since your intervention.

Noun phrase 'votre intervention'.

Depuis le temps qu'on en parle, il était temps d'agir.

For all the time we've been talking about it, it was time to act.

Idiomatic 'Depuis le temps que...'.

Je vous observe depuis un certain temps déjà.

I have been observing you for some time already.

Formal use of 'un certain temps'.

Depuis la nuit des temps, l'homme cherche un sens à sa vie.

Since the dawn of time, man has sought meaning in his life.

Literary idiom 'la nuit des temps'.

Depuis que l'on a découvert ce vaccin, la maladie recule.

Since this vaccine was discovered, the disease has been receding.

Scientific/Formal context.

Elle n'a de cesse de progresser depuis son échec initial.

She hasn't stopped progressing since her initial failure.

Sophisticated 'n'a de cesse de' structure.

Depuis ma fenêtre, le monde semble s'être arrêté.

From my window, the world seems to have stopped.

Poetic spatial use.

Depuis lors, aucun changement notable n'a été constaté.

Since then, no notable changes have been observed.

Administrative/Scientific reporting.

Depuis que je fréquente ce milieu, j'ai beaucoup appris.

Since I've been frequenting this circle, I've learned a lot.

Use of 'fréquenter' for social circles.

Tout a été repensé depuis la base.

Everything has been redesigned from the ground up.

Spatial/Conceptual starting point.

Depuis que vous êtes aux responsabilités, les choses bougent.

Since you've been in a position of responsibility, things are moving.

Political/Professional address.

Depuis la promulgation du décret, les litiges se multiplient.

Since the decree was promulgated, disputes have been multiplying.

High-level legal terminology.

Il n'avait plus reparu dans la région depuis sa disgrâce.

He had not reappeared in the region since his disgrace.

Literary 'disgrâce' and 'reparu'.

Depuis que l'on sait l'univers en expansion, notre vision a changé.

Since we have known the universe to be expanding, our vision has changed.

Philosophical/Cosmological context.

Depuis sa tour d'ivoire, il ignore les réalités du terrain.

From his ivory tower, he ignores the realities on the ground.

Metaphorical spatial use.

Depuis lors, la dialectique a pris une tournure inattendue.

Since then, the dialectic has taken an unexpected turn.

Academic/Philosophical register.

Depuis que l'art s'est affranchi des règles, tout est possible.

Since art freed itself from rules, everything is possible.

Art history context.

On l'attendait depuis des lustres.

We had been waiting for him for ages.

Idiom 'des lustres' (periods of 5 years, meaning 'ages').

Depuis que le doute s'est instillé en lui, il hésite.

Since doubt instilled itself in him, he hesitates.

Literary 's'est instillé'.

자주 쓰는 조합

Depuis longtemps

Depuis toujours

Depuis peu

Depuis lors

Depuis quand

Depuis ce matin

Depuis hier

Depuis des années

Depuis que

Depuis ma fenêtre

자주 쓰는 구문

Depuis le début

Depuis la nuit des temps

Depuis un certain temps

Depuis lors

Depuis toujours

Depuis peu

Depuis des lustres

Depuis quand ?

Depuis combien de temps ?

Depuis le temps

자주 혼동되는 단어

depuis vs Pendant

Pendant is for a finished duration. Depuis is for an ongoing one.

depuis vs Il y a

Il y a means 'ago' (a point in the past). Depuis means 'since/for' (a duration starting in the past).

depuis vs Pour

Pour is only for intended future duration. Never use it for the past.

관용어 및 표현

"Depuis la nuit des temps"

Used to describe something that has existed for an incredibly long period.

L'astronomie existe depuis la nuit des temps.

Literary

"Depuis des lustres"

A 'lustre' is technically 5 years, but this means 'for ages'.

Je n'ai pas mangé de pizza depuis des lustres.

Informal

"Depuis belle lurette"

A very old-fashioned way to say 'for a very long time'.

Il est parti depuis belle lurette.

Old-fashioned

"Depuis le temps que ça dure"

Expressing that a situation has been going on for too long.

Depuis le temps que ça dure, il faut agir.

Neutral

"Depuis toujours et à jamais"

Since forever and for always.

Je t'aime depuis toujours et à jamais.

Poetic

"Depuis que le monde est monde"

Since the world began.

C'est la loi depuis que le monde est monde.

Literary

"Depuis quand ?"

Used sarcastically to question a new behavior.

Depuis quand tu es poli, toi ?

Informal

"Depuis lors"

Serving as a transition to show a permanent change.

Il a eu un accident ; depuis lors, il boite.

Neutral

"Depuis peu"

Indicating a recent change of state.

Le magasin est ouvert depuis peu.

Neutral

"Depuis ma tour d'ivoire"

From a position of detached superiority.

Il juge tout depuis sa tour d'ivoire.

Metaphorical

혼동하기 쉬운

depuis vs Puis

Sounds similar.

Puis means 'then' or 'afterwards'. Depuis is 'since'.

D'abord je mange, puis je sors. Je suis ici depuis midi.

depuis vs Dès

Both indicate a starting point.

Dès emphasizes 'as soon as' or 'starting right from'. Depuis emphasizes the duration that follows.

Dès demain, je commence. Je travaille depuis hier.

depuis vs Durant

Both relate to duration.

Durant is a formal synonym for pendant (finished duration).

Durant l'hiver, il neige. Je vis ici depuis l'hiver.

depuis vs Depuis que vs Dès que

Both are conjunctions.

Depuis que is 'since'. Dès que is 'as soon as'.

Depuis qu'il est là, on rit. Dès qu'il arrive, on partira.

depuis vs Il y a ... que

Interchangeable with depuis.

It is more emphatic and common in speech.

Il y a deux ans que je suis là.

문장 패턴

S + V(present) + depuis + [duration]

Je dors depuis dix heures.

S + V(present) + depuis + [point in time]

Je suis là depuis midi.

Depuis que + S + V, S + V

Depuis que je cours, je me sens mieux.

S + ne + V(passé composé) + pas + depuis + [time]

Je n'ai pas vu Paul depuis lundi.

S + V(imparfait) + depuis + [duration]

Il pleuvait depuis une heure.

Depuis + [noun phrase], S + V

Depuis son départ, elle est triste.

Depuis lors, + S + V

Depuis lors, nous ne nous voyons plus.

Depuis que + S + V(passé simple), S + V

Depuis que le roi mourut, le pays est en deuil.

어휘 가족

사용법

frequency

Extremely common in all domains.

자주 하는 실수

J'ai habité ici depuis deux ans. → J'habite ici depuis deux ans.
You must use the present tense because you still live there.
Je travaille pour trois heures. → Je travaille depuis trois heures.
'Pour' is for future intent; 'depuis' is for actions already started.
Il y a trois ans depuis que je suis là. → Ça fait trois ans que je suis là.
'Il y a' and 'depuis' shouldn't be mixed in this way.
Je n'ai pas vu lui depuis hier. → Je ne l'ai pas vu depuis hier.
Pronoun placement mistake, unrelated to 'depuis' but common in these sentences.
Depuis je suis arrivé... → Depuis que je suis arrivé...
You need 'que' to connect 'depuis' to a clause.

팁

The Present Tense Rule

Always pair 'depuis' with the present tense for ongoing actions. This is the #1 mistake for English speakers.

Sound Natural

In casual speech, use 'Ça fait... que' instead of 'depuis'. It sounds more native.

Depuis vs Il y a

If you can say 'ago', use 'il y a'. If you can say 'since', use 'depuis'.

Formal Transitions

Use 'Depuis lors' to start a paragraph when discussing the consequences of a past event.

Liaison Check

Listen for the silent 's'. If you hear an 's' sound, it's likely a different word or a very formal speaker.

Business Tenure

On a CV, use 'Depuis [Year]' to show you are still working at a company.

Negative Sentences

Remember: 'Je ne fume plus depuis un an' (Present) vs 'Je n'ai pas fumé depuis un an' (Passé Composé). Both work but have slightly different focuses.

Ages and Ages

Learn 'depuis des lustres' to add some flavor to your complaints about waiting!

Depuis que

Don't forget the 'que' when you want to follow 'depuis' with a full sentence (Subject + Verb).

Perspective

Use 'depuis' to describe what you can see from a specific location.

암기하기

기억법

Think: 'D-E-P-U-I-S' = 'Duration Ever Present Until It Stops'. This reminds you to use the present tense!

시각적 연상

Imagine a bridge. One side is the past (the start date), and the other side is 'Now'. The bridge itself is 'depuis'.

Word Web

Time Duration Start Ongoing Since For Present Tense History

챌린지

Try to write three sentences about your life using 'depuis': one about where you live, one about a hobby, and one about a friend.

어원

Derived from the Vulgar Latin 'de post', which combines 'de' (from) and 'post' (after). It literally meant 'from after'.

원래 의미: Starting from a point in time after an event.

Romance (Latin root).

문화적 맥락

No specific sensitivities; 'depuis' is a neutral temporal marker.

English speakers struggle because 'for' is used for both ongoing and finished actions. French is more precise.

'Depuis le premier jour' - Common song lyric. 'Depuis que j'ai vu le loup' - Old French idiom about losing innocence. Historical markers: 'Depuis la Révolution'.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Work

Depuis quand travaillez-vous ici ?
Je suis sur ce projet depuis lundi.
Depuis mon embauche...
Depuis la réunion.

Travel

Je suis en France depuis une semaine.
Depuis mon arrivée à l'hôtel.
On attend le train depuis une heure.
Depuis le début du voyage.

Health

Je suis malade depuis hier.
Depuis quand avez-vous mal ?
Je ne dors plus depuis deux jours.
Depuis mon opération.

Relationships

On se connaît depuis le lycée.
Depuis qu'on est ensemble.
Je t'aime depuis toujours.
Depuis notre rencontre.

Weather

Il pleut depuis trois jours.
Il fait beau depuis ce matin.
Depuis la tempête.
Depuis le début de l'hiver.

대화 시작하기

"Depuis combien de temps habitez-vous dans cette ville ?"

"Depuis quand est-ce que vous apprenez le français ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui a changé pour vous depuis l'année dernière ?"

"Depuis quand connaissez-vous votre meilleur ami ?"

"Depuis combien de temps travaillez-vous dans votre entreprise actuelle ?"

일기 주제

Écrivez sur une habitude que vous avez depuis votre enfance.

Décrivez comment votre vie a changé depuis que vous avez commencé à apprendre le français.

Parlez d'un projet sur lequel vous travaillez depuis longtemps.

Depuis quand n'avez-vous pas pris de vacances ? Racontez vos dernières vacances.

Depuis que vous habitez dans votre maison actuelle, quels changements avez-vous faits ?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Usually no. Use the present tense if the action is still happening. Only use the passé composé in negative sentences (e.g., 'I haven't seen him for...').

Depuis is for ongoing actions ('I have been living here'). Pendant is for completed actions ('I lived there for two years but moved').

Only for the future! 'Je vais à Paris pour trois jours'. For the past or ongoing time, use 'depuis' or 'pendant'.

Generally no. It is silent. In very formal liaison before a vowel, it might be heard as a 'z', but this is extremely rare.

Use 'Depuis quand ?'. For 'how long', use 'Depuis combien de temps ?'.

Yes, to mean 'from' a certain vantage point. 'On voit la tour Eiffel depuis ma chambre'.

It means 'always' or 'since forever'. It's very common.

No, it is followed by the indicative because it refers to a real, established fact in time.

Yes, it is very common for setting the scene. 'Depuis trois jours, il ne cesse de pleuvoir'.

It's a formal way to say 'since then'. It's often used at the start of a sentence to link it to a previous event.