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desde então

C1 noun 15 min read

desde então

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips desde então in 30 Seconds

Explanation desde então in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to talk about time. Desde então is a useful phrase that means "since then." Think of it as a way to say that something started in the past and is still happening now. Even if you don't know many verb tenses yet, you can use this phrase to connect two ideas. For example, if you say "I visited Brazil in January" and then "Since then, I study Portuguese," you are using desde então to show a connection. It is made of two small words: desde (since) and então (then). You will mostly hear it at the end of sentences or after a comma. It helps you avoid repeating the date or the event you just talked about. It's a great shortcut for beginners!

When you use it, remember that então refers to the time you just mentioned. If you said "Yesterday was my birthday," then então means "yesterday." It's like a pointer. In English, we often say "ever since" or just "since then." In Portuguese, desde então is the most common way to say this. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on using it to link a past event to what you are doing now. For example: "I bought a car. Since then, I go to work by car." In Portuguese: "Comprei um carro. Desde então, vou para o trabalho de carro." It's simple, clear, and very effective for basic communication.

At the A2 level, you are becoming more comfortable with past tenses like the Pretérito Perfeito. This is the perfect time to start using desde então to build slightly longer stories. You can use it to explain changes in your life or habits. For example, "Eu mudei de casa em maio e, desde então, estou mais feliz" (I moved house in May and, since then, I am happier). Notice how the comma after então helps separate the time marker from the rest of the sentence. This is a common pattern in Portuguese writing and speaking. It shows that you are beginning to understand how to structure sentences for better flow.

You should also notice that desde então is different from depois. While depois just means "after," desde então means that the state or action has continued from that moment until the present. It's about duration. If you say "Depois eu comi," it just means you ate later. If you say "Desde então eu não comi," it means you haven't eaten from that moment until now! This distinction is important as you start to describe your daily routines and past experiences more accurately. Practice using it with verbs like ser, estar, and ter to describe ongoing situations.

As a B1 learner, you are moving into intermediate territory where you need to express more complex relationships between events. Desde então becomes a vital tool for narrative cohesion. You can use it to link paragraphs or long sentences. At this level, you should also start pairing it with the Pretérito Perfeito Composto (e.g., tenho feito). For example: "Houve uma mudança na gerência e, desde então, temos trabalhado muito mais." This shows a high level of grammatical control, as you are correctly matching the temporal marker with a tense that expresses repeated action from the past to the present.

You might also start to encounter desde então in more diverse contexts, such as news articles or work emails. It is very common in professional Portuguese to describe the results of a decision: "A nova política foi implementada e, desde então, os resultados melhoraram." Using this phrase makes your Portuguese sound more professional and less fragmented. Instead of using several short sentences, you can use desde então to create a logical flow that guides the reader through your explanation. It’s also a good time to start distinguishing it from a partir de então, which focuses more on the transition itself than the duration.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use desde então with nuance and stylistic flair. You can experiment with its placement in the sentence to change the emphasis. For instance, putting it at the very end of a long, descriptive sentence can create a sense of finality or lingering impact: "A cidade sofreu muito com as inundações e pouca coisa foi reconstruída desde então." Here, the phrase carries an emotional weight, highlighting the neglect or the long road to recovery. You are no longer just using it as a time marker; you are using it as a rhetorical device to emphasize continuity or lack thereof.

Furthermore, you should be comfortable using synonyms like de lá para cá in informal conversations to sound more native. A B2 speaker knows that while desde então is always correct, de lá para cá adds a certain "flavor" to Brazilian Portuguese. You should also be careful to avoid common mistakes like confusing it with desde que. At this stage, your understanding of the difference between a conjunction (which needs a clause) and an adverbial phrase (which stands alone) should be solid. This precision is what separates an intermediate speaker from an advanced one.

For C1 learners, desde então is a staple of sophisticated discourse. You will use it in academic essays, legal analyses, and high-level business negotiations. At this level, you should appreciate how the phrase contributes to the "texture" of a text. It is a cohesive tie that allows for complex argumentation. For example, in a historical analysis, you might use it to trace the evolution of a social movement: "A publicação do manifesto serviu como catalisador e, desde então, observamos uma reconfiguração das alianças políticas na região." This usage demonstrates an ability to synthesize events over long periods of time using precise vocabulary.

You should also be aware of the subtle differences between desde então and its more formal counterparts like doravante or desde outrora. While desde então is versatile, choosing a more specific or formal term can elevate your writing. You should also be able to handle complex sentence structures where desde então is nested within subordinate clauses or used in conjunction with the passive voice: "Foi decidido que o projeto seria pausado e, desde então, nenhuma nova diretriz foi emitida pela diretoria." This level of mastery shows that you can navigate the intricacies of Portuguese syntax with confidence and precision.

At the C2 level, your use of desde então is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You understand its rhythmic value in prose and its strategic value in rhetoric. You might use it in a speech to create a sense of historical inevitability or to underscore the persistence of a particular problem. In literary analysis, you could discuss how a single traumatic event in a novel defines everything that happens desde então, using the phrase to encapsulate the entire subsequent narrative arc. Your mastery extends to the most subtle nuances of tone and register.

You also recognize the philosophical implications of the phrase—how it slices time into a "before" and "after" and creates a permanent link between them. In creative writing, you might play with the placement of desde então to create suspense or to evoke a sense of nostalgia. You are also fully aware of its historical etymology and how it fits into the broader system of Romance language temporal markers. At this level, the phrase is not just a tool for communication; it is a brushstroke in a larger linguistic painting, used with intent, precision, and an innate sense of the language's natural flow and melody.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

desde então in 30 Seconds

Desde então means 'since then' and links a past event to the present or subsequent time.
It is a versatile phrase used in both formal writing and everyday Portuguese conversation.
It requires a previously mentioned time or event to make sense, as 'então' refers to that point.
Commonly paired with the present tense or present perfect to show ongoing or repeated actions.

The Portuguese expression desde então is a powerful temporal anchor that translates most directly to "since then" or "from that time onwards" in English. It serves as a linguistic bridge, connecting a specific point in the past—usually one already established in the conversation or text—to the present moment or to a subsequent period being discussed. In the hierarchy of Portuguese temporal markers, desde então sits comfortably in both formal and informal registers, though its precision often lends a touch of narrative gravitas to a sentence. It is composed of the preposition desde (since/from) and the adverb então (then). When these two words coalesce, they create a fixed locution that implies a continuous state or a series of events that began at a definitive juncture and have persisted without significant interruption. This phrase is indispensable for storytelling, historical accounts, and personal anecdotes where the speaker wishes to emphasize the lasting impact of a particular event.

Syntactic Function: It functions as an adverbial phrase of time (locução adverbial de tempo), modifying the entire clause to establish a chronological framework starting from a previously mentioned moment.
Semantic Range: It encompasses the duration from a past point to the present, often highlighting a change in status, habit, or condition that has remained constant.
Temporal Aspect: It typically triggers the use of the present tense (for ongoing states) or the present perfect (pretérito perfeito composto) to indicate actions repeated from then until now.

Imagine a scenario where a person visits Lisbon for the first time in 2010. They might say, "Eu visitei Lisboa em 2010 e, desde então, sou apaixonado pela cidade." Here, the visit is the catalyst, and the state of being in love with the city is the ongoing result. The beauty of this expression lies in its economy; it avoids the need to repeat dates or specific events, relying instead on the listener's memory of the context just provided. In sophisticated Portuguese writing, particularly in literature or journalism, desde então acts as a cohesive device, ensuring that the reader follows the thread of causality across paragraphs. It is not merely about time; it is about the legacy of a moment.

Eles se conheceram na universidade e, desde então, são melhores amigos.

Furthermore, the expression can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, though its placement often dictates the emphasis. At the start of a sentence, followed by a comma, it sets a dramatic stage: "Desde então, nada foi o mesmo." In the middle, it feels more integrated into the flow of speech: "As coisas mudaram muito desde então." Regardless of where it sits, it carries a sense of inevitability and continuity. It is one of those phrases that, once mastered, makes a non-native speaker sound significantly more fluent and attuned to the natural rhythm of the Portuguese language. It allows for the construction of complex narratives without the clunkiness of repetitive temporal markers like "depois daquele dia" or "a partir daquela hora."

A empresa faliu em 2008; desde então, ele trabalha por conta própria.

In more formal or academic settings, you might encounter variations like "doravante" (from now on) or "desde outrora" (since formerly), but desde então remains the most versatile and commonly used term for pointing back to a specific past event. It is a staple of news reporting—"O governo mudou a lei em março e, desde então, os protestos aumentaram"—and of personal reflection. It is deeply embedded in the way Lusophones perceive the flow of time: not as isolated fragments, but as a connected stream where one event ripples through everything that follows. Mastery of this phrase involves understanding that it requires a previous reference point; you cannot start a conversation with "desde então" unless the "então" has been clearly defined by the previous sentence or the immediate environment.

O artista parou de pintar após o acidente e não expôs mais desde então.

Using desde então correctly requires a basic understanding of Portuguese sentence structure and verb tense consistency. Because the phrase links a past event to subsequent time, the verbs surrounding it must reflect this relationship. Typically, the event that defines the "então" is in the Pretérito Perfeito (Simple Past), while the action following it is often in the Presente do Indicativo (if it continues now) or the Pretérito Perfeito Composto (if it has been happening repeatedly). For example, "Ela viajou para a Itália e desde então tem estudado italiano" (She traveled to Italy and since then has been studying Italian). Here, the travel is the past point, and the study is the ongoing action.

Sentence Initiation: When starting a sentence with Desde então, always use a comma. Example: "Desde então, ele nunca mais voltou.".
Interjectional Use: It can be placed between the subject and the verb for emphasis. Example: "Nós, desde então, decidimos mudar de vida.".
Terminal Position: Placing it at the end of a sentence often provides a soft conclusion to a thought. Example: "Muitas coisas mudaram desde então.".

One of the most frequent uses of desde então is to denote a permanent change. In Portuguese, we often use it to contrast a "before" and "after" state. Consider the sentence: "Ocorreu um erro no sistema e, desde então, estamos operando manualmente." This implies that the manual operation is the new, continuous reality. Note that desde então is more specific than depois (after). While depois simply indicates that one thing happened after another, desde então emphasizes that the duration of time following the event is the focus. It is the difference between saying "After that, I ate" and "Since then, I have been eating better."

O governo cortou os subsídios; desde então, os preços não param de subir.

Another nuance involves the use of desde então in negative sentences. For instance, "Ele saiu de casa em 1990 e não deu notícias desde então." In this context, it highlights the absence of an action over a long period. This is a common way to express long-term estrangement or the cessation of a habit. In Portuguese, the placement of the negation não is crucial; it usually precedes the verb, while desde então follows the verb or the entire clause. This structure is very similar to the English "not... since then," making it one of the more intuitive patterns for English speakers to adopt.

Houve uma grande reforma no prédio e, desde então, não temos tido problemas com infiltrações.

Finally, consider the stylistic choice between desde então and desde essa altura (common in European Portuguese) or desde aquela época (common in Brazilian Portuguese). While all are correct, desde então is the most concise and widely understood across all Lusophone countries. It is particularly effective in fast-paced dialogue or concise writing. When you want to sound authoritative yet natural, desde então is your best friend. It provides a clean transition that keeps the listener focused on the consequences of an event rather than the event itself. Whether you are discussing the history of a nation or the history of your own morning, this phrase provides the necessary temporal glue.

A lei foi aprovada pelo parlamento e tem sido aplicada rigorosamente desde então.

You will encounter desde então in a vast array of contexts, from the evening news to the lyrics of a fado or a bossa nova song. In journalism, it is a tool for creating narrative continuity. News anchors use it to link a policy change or a catastrophic event to its current repercussions. For example, a reporter might say, "O furacão atingiu a costa na segunda-feira e, desde então, milhares de pessoas estão sem eletricidade." This usage is purely functional, providing a timeline for the unfolding crisis. It is also a favorite in historical documentaries, where the narrator traces the long-term effects of a revolution or a discovery.

News & Media: Commonly used to report on the ongoing effects of a singular event, such as a law being passed or a natural disaster.
Literature & Storytelling: Used to signal a turning point in a character's life or a plot's direction. It marks the "aftermath" phase.
Business & Reports: Found in quarterly reports to describe trends that began after a specific fiscal decision or market shift.

In everyday conversation, desde então is used to discuss life milestones. Friends catching up after years apart will frequently use this phrase. "Eu me mudei para o Rio em 2015 e, desde então, nunca mais quis sair." It conveys a sense of satisfaction and permanence. It is also common in medical contexts, where a patient explains when their symptoms began: "Eu caí da escada no mês passado e, desde então, sinto uma dor constante nas costas." Here, the phrase is vital for establishing a clinical timeline. Its ubiquity makes it a "safe" phrase; it never sounds out of place, whether you are in a boardroom in São Paulo or a café in Lisbon.

O restaurante mudou de dono no ano passado e a qualidade caiu muito desde então.

Furthermore, the phrase appears in legal and administrative documents. When a contract is signed, the obligations often begin "desde então." In this formal sphere, the phrase ensures there is no ambiguity about when a responsibility starts. It is also prevalent in academic writing, particularly in the humanities. A historian might write, "A queda do Império Romano alterou as rotas comerciais e, desde então, a Europa entrou em um novo período de fragmentação." In these cases, desde então serves as a high-level connective tissue, linking centuries of cause and effect into a single, coherent narrative. It is a word that helps organize the chaos of time into a structured sequence.

O tratado foi assinado em 1992; desde então, as fronteiras permanecem abertas.

Lastly, in the digital age, you'll see desde então in social media captions and blog posts. It’s used to reflect on transformations—the "glow-up" or the "journey." A fitness influencer might post, "Comecei a treinar há três anos e, desde então, minha saúde melhorou 100%." It adds a layer of authenticity and history to the post, showing that the current state is the result of a long-term commitment. Whether it's the weight of history or the lightness of a personal win, this phrase carries the message perfectly across all media types.

Ela postou o primeiro vídeo em janeiro e sua vida mudou completamente desde então.

One of the most common pitfalls for English speakers learning Portuguese is confusing desde então with desde que. While both involve the word "desde," their functions are quite different. Desde então is a complete adverbial phrase that refers back to a point in time already mentioned. In contrast, desde que is a conjunction that must be followed by a clause or a specific noun. For example, you say "desde que eu era criança" (since I was a child), but you say "eu era criança e, desde então, gosto de ler" (I was a child and, since then, I like to read). Using desde então followed by a verb without a connecting clause is a frequent error.

Confusion with "Desde Que": Mistake: "Desde então eu saí..." (Since then I left...). Correct: "Eu saí e, desde então, não voltei." (I left and, since then, haven't returned).
Redundancy: Mistake: "Desde então daquela data..." (Since then of that date...). This is redundant because então already represents the date.
Tense Mismatch: Mistake: "Desde então, ele trabalhou muito." (meaning he is still working). Correct: "Desde então, ele tem trabalhado muito." (He has been working hard since then).

Another mistake is using desde então to mean "from now on." This is a temporal direction error. Desde então always looks backward to a past point. If you want to say "from now on," you should use daqui em diante, de agora em diante, or the more formal doravante. Confusing these two can lead to significant misunderstandings, especially in professional settings where deadlines and timelines are critical. For example, saying "Desde então, faremos assim" implies you have already been doing it that way since a past event, whereas you likely mean "From now on, we will do it this way."

Não use desde então para o futuro. Use para o passado que continua.

Learners also struggle with the placement of desde então in relation to commas. In Portuguese, adverbial phrases of time that appear at the beginning of a sentence are usually set off by commas, especially if they are more than one word. Omitting the comma in "Desde então tudo mudou" is technically a stylistic choice in modern informal Portuguese, but in formal writing, it should be "Desde então, tudo mudou." This comma helps the reader pause and identify the temporal frame before moving to the subject and verb. Similarly, placing it in the middle of a sentence without proper punctuation can sometimes make the sentence feel cluttered.

Errado: Ele viajou e desde então ele mora lá. Correto: Ele viajou e, desde então, mora lá.

Finally, beware of the literal translation of "since then" in contexts where Portuguese uses different idiomatic expressions. For example, when talking about a sequence of events that happened one after another without necessarily implying a continuous state, a partir daí might be more appropriate. A partir daí suggests a logical progression or a next step in a sequence, whereas desde então focuses heavily on the duration of time. If you say, "Ele apertou o botão e, desde então, a máquina explodiu," it sounds like the machine has been in a continuous state of exploding ever since. In that case, "a partir daí" or simply "então" would be better.

Cuidado com o contexto: desde então foca na continuidade temporal.

Portuguese offers a rich palette of temporal markers that can serve as alternatives to desde então, depending on the register and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Understanding these synonyms helps in avoiding repetition and in fine-tuning your message. The most common alternative is de lá para cá. This is a more idiomatic, slightly more informal way of saying "from then to now." It literally translates to "from there to here," where "there" refers to the point in time and "here" refers to the present. It is very common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese and adds a rhythmic, conversational flow to the sentence.

De lá para cá: More informal and idiomatic. Great for conversation. Example: "Muita água rolou de lá para cá." (A lot has happened since then).
A partir de então: Focuses more on the starting point of a new state or sequence. Example: "A partir de então, as regras mudaram."
Doravante: Extremely formal, almost exclusively found in legal or classical literary texts. It means "from now on" or "henceforth."

Another useful alternative is desde aquela época or desde esse momento. These are slightly more descriptive and are used when you want to emphasize the specific "era" or "moment" rather than just using the generic "then." For example, if you are discussing the 1960s, saying "desde aquela época" helps keep the historical context alive in the listener's mind. In European Portuguese, desde essa altura is very frequent and serves the exact same purpose as desde então. It feels natural and is used in both formal and informal speech across Portugal.

O projeto começou em 2010 e, de lá para cá, já ajudamos centenas de pessoas.

For more literary or dramatic flair, one might use desde outrora, which implies a much longer, perhaps ancient, span of time. Conversely, if you want to express that something has been happening "ever since," you can use desde sempre, though this is less specific about the starting point and more about the perceived eternity of the action. For instance, "Eu gosto de música desde sempre" (I've liked music forever/since always). This differs from desde então because it doesn't necessarily point back to a single event mentioned earlier in the conversation.

Eles se desentenderam na festa e não se falam desde esse momento.

Finally, when comparing these terms, it is important to note the grammatical structure they require. Desde então and de lá para cá are independent adverbial phrases, meaning they don't need to be followed by anything else to make sense. However, desde que and a partir de are prepositions/conjunctions that need an object or a clause. Mastering these distinctions allows you to vary your sentence structures and sound more like a native speaker who can navigate the subtleties of time and causality with ease. Whether you choose the standard desde então or the colorful de lá para cá, you are effectively placing a pin in the timeline of your story.

A tecnologia evoluiu e, doravante, as comunicações serão instantâneas.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'então' is one of the most versatile filler words in Portuguese, often used like the English 'so' or 'well', but in 'desde então', it retains its strictly temporal meaning.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈdez.dʒi ẽ.ˈtɐ̃w̃/

US /ˈdez.di en.ˈtãʊ̃/

The primary stress is on the second syllable of 'então' (tão).

Rhymes With

mãos vãos corações (partial) pães (partial) chão pão ação visão

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'desde' with a hard 's' like in 'snake' (it should be 'z').
Failing to nasalize the 'ão' in 'então', making it sound like 'entao'.
Over-emphasizing the 'e' at the end of 'desde' in a European accent.
Pronouncing 'então' as 'en-tan' (missing the diphthong).
Merging the two words into one without a clear break.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text as it usually follows a clear event.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct punctuation (commas) and verb tense alignment.

Speaking 2/5

The nasal 'ão' can be tricky, but the phrase is a great filler/connector.

Listening 1/5

Clear and distinct, though 'desde' can be shortened in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

desde então depois quando passado

Learn Next

doravante entretanto todavia contudo porém

Advanced

a posteriori consequentemente sucessivamente paulatinamente ininterruptamente

Grammar to Know

Use of Pretérito Perfeito Composto

Desde então, tenho estudado todos os dias.

Punctuation with Adverbial Locutions

Desde então, as coisas melhoraram. (Comma required at the start)

Deictic Reference

O 'então' deve referir-se a um tempo já mencionado.

Negative Sentence Structure

Ele não voltou mais desde então.

Contrasting with 'Desde que'

Desde que cheguei (conjunction) vs. Cheguei e, desde então (adverbial), estou feliz.

Examples by Level

Eu vi o filme e, desde então, gosto do ator.

I saw the movie and, since then, I like the actor.

Simple use to connect a past event to a current feeling.

Ela começou o curso e estuda muito desde então.

She started the course and has studied a lot since then.

Shows an action that continued after the start of the course.

Ele comprou um gato e está feliz desde então.

He bought a cat and has been happy since then.

Links a purchase to an ongoing emotional state.

Nós fomos à praia e, desde então, queremos voltar.

We went to the beach and, since then, we want to go back.

Uses 'queremos' (present) to show a current desire.

O sol saiu e está quente desde então.

The sun came out and it has been hot since then.

Describes a weather change that persisted.

Comi pizza ontem e não comi nada desde então.

I ate pizza yesterday and haven't eaten anything since then.

Negative use to show the absence of action.

Eles casaram em maio e moram juntos desde então.

They married in May and have lived together since then.

Standard way to describe a life change.

Aprendi essa palavra e uso ela sempre desde então.

I learned this word and use it always since then.

Refers to a learning moment and its result.

Visitei Lisboa em 2018 e, desde então, viajo para lá todos os anos.

I visited Lisbon in 2018 and, since then, I travel there every year.

Combines a specific year with a recurring action.

O restaurante abriu em janeiro e tem estado cheio desde então.

The restaurant opened in January and has been full since then.

Uses 'tem estado' (present perfect) for ongoing state.

Eu perdi meu celular e estou sem comunicação desde então.

I lost my phone and have been without communication since then.

Shows the consequence of a past loss.

Ela começou a correr e se sente muito melhor desde então.

She started running and feels much better since then.

Links a new habit to a health improvement.

Eles brigaram na semana passada e não se falam desde então.

They fought last week and haven't spoken since then.

Common use for social estrangement.

O preço da carne subiu e não baixou mais desde então.

The price of meat went up and hasn't gone down since then.

Economic context using negative 'não baixou'.

Eu li aquele livro e, desde então, mudei minha opinião.

I read that book and, since then, I changed my opinion.

Points to an intellectual shift.

Nós conhecemos o João na festa e somos amigos desde então.

We met João at the party and have been friends since then.

Establishing the start of a relationship.

A empresa implementou novas regras e, desde então, a produtividade aumentou significativamente.

The company implemented new rules and, since then, productivity has increased significantly.

Formal business context with specific results.

Ele sofreu um acidente de carro e tem tido medo de dirigir desde então.

He had a car accident and has been afraid of driving since then.

Uses 'tem tido' to show a recurring feeling.

O governo mudou a lei ambiental e, desde então, o desmatamento diminuiu.

The government changed the environmental law and, since then, deforestation has decreased.

Journalistic style for public policy impact.

Ela descobriu que era intolerante ao glúten e sua saúde melhorou muito desde então.

She discovered she was gluten intolerant and her health improved a lot since then.

Medical/lifestyle context.

O site saiu do ar ontem à noite e tem apresentado erros desde então.

The website went offline last night and has been showing errors since then.

Technical context describing persistent issues.

Eles se mudaram para o exterior e mantemos contato por vídeo desde então.

They moved abroad and we've kept in touch via video since then.

Describes a change in the mode of communication.

A banda lançou o primeiro álbum em 2015 e tem feito sucesso desde então.

The band released their first album in 2015 and has been successful since then.

Cultural/entertainment context.

Houve uma falha na segurança e, desde então, os protocolos foram reforçados.

There was a security breach and, since then, protocols have been reinforced.

Passive voice 'foram reforçados' with temporal marker.

A crise econômica de 2008 abalou o mercado e, desde então, as taxas de juros permanecem instáveis.

The 2008 economic crisis shook the market and, since then, interest rates remain unstable.

Complex economic discussion.

O autor publicou sua obra-prima aos 20 anos e não conseguiu repetir o sucesso desde então.

The author published his masterpiece at 20 and hasn't been able to repeat the success since then.

Nuanced literary/biographical observation.

A descoberta da vacina mudou o rumo da história e milhões de vidas foram salvas desde então.

The discovery of the vaccine changed the course of history and millions of lives have been saved since then.

Historical significance and long-term impact.

Houve uma ruptura no partido político e, desde então, várias facções têm disputado o poder.

There was a rift in the political party and, since then, several factions have been vying for power.

Political vocabulary with 'têm disputado'.

O sistema foi atualizado na semana passada, mas os usuários têm relatado lentidão desde então.

The system was updated last week, but users have been reporting slowness since then.

Contrasting an intended improvement with a negative result.

Ela se aposentou precocemente e tem se dedicado à pintura desde então.

She retired early and has been dedicating herself to painting since then.

Reflexive verb 'tem se dedicado' with temporal marker.

O tratado de paz foi assinado há uma década e a região vive um período de calma desde então.

The peace treaty was signed a decade ago and the region has lived through a period of calm since then.

Geopolitical context.

O escândalo veio à tona em março e a reputação da empresa tem sofrido desde então.

The scandal came to light in March and the company's reputation has been suffering since then.

Idiomatic 'veio à tona' paired with 'desde então'.

A implementação do novo paradigma educacional ocorreu em 2010 e, desde então, observamos uma mudança qualitativa no desempenho dos alunos.

The implementation of the new educational paradigm occurred in 2010 and, since then, we have observed a qualitative change in student performance.

Academic register with sophisticated vocabulary.

A teoria foi refutada por novos dados empíricos e tem sido amplamente ignorada pela comunidade científica desde então.

The theory was refuted by new empirical data and has been widely ignored by the scientific community since then.

Passive voice and scientific discourse.

O colapso da bolsa de valores gerou um efeito dominó e a economia global não se recuperou totalmente desde então.

The stock market collapse generated a domino effect and the global economy hasn't fully recovered since then.

Metaphorical language 'efeito dominó' in a complex sentence.

A reforma ortográfica entrou em vigor e, desde então, surgiram inúmeros debates sobre a preservação da identidade linguística.

The spelling reform came into effect and, since then, numerous debates have arisen about the preservation of linguistic identity.

Discussing language policy.

O diretor abandonou o projeto abruptamente e a produção tem enfrentado incertezas jurídicas desde então.

The director abandoned the project abruptly and the production has been facing legal uncertainties since then.

Business/Legal nuance.

A região foi devastada por um terremoto e os esforços de reconstrução têm sido contínuos desde então.

The region was devastated by an earthquake and reconstruction efforts have been ongoing since then.

Humanitarian/Societal context.

O software foi lançado em versão beta e tem recebido atualizações semanais desde então para corrigir vulnerabilidades.

The software was released in beta version and has been receiving weekly updates since then to fix vulnerabilities.

Technical/Development context.

A decisão do tribunal estabeleceu um precedente importante e, desde então, casos semelhantes têm sido julgados com base nessa sentença.

The court's decision established an important precedent and, since then, similar cases have been judged based on that ruling.

Legal register with 'estabeleceu um precedente'.

A eclosão do conflito alterou irremediavelmente a geopolítica local e, desde então, assistimos a uma diáspora sem precedentes.

The outbreak of the conflict irremediably altered local geopolitics and, since then, we have witnessed an unprecedented diaspora.

High-level geopolitical analysis with 'irremediavelmente'.

O advento da inteligência artificial generativa marcou um ponto de inflexão na criatividade humana e, desde então, a fronteira entre o real e o sintético tornou-se nebulosa.

The advent of generative artificial intelligence marked a turning point in human creativity and, since then, the boundary between the real and the synthetic has become blurred.

Philosophical/Technological discourse.

A morte do monarca desencadeou uma crise sucessória e o reino tem sido assolado por intrigas palacianas desde então.

The monarch's death triggered a succession crisis and the kingdom has been plagued by palace intrigues since then.

Literary/Historical narrative style.

A descoberta de manuscritos antigos lançou nova luz sobre a civilização e a historiografia tem sido revisada exaustivamente desde então.

The discovery of ancient manuscripts shed new light on the civilization and historiography has been exhaustively revised since then.

Academic/Research context with 'historiografia'.

A privatização da empresa gerou controvérsia pública e, desde então, a qualidade dos serviços tem sido objeto de escrutínio rigoroso.

The privatization of the company generated public controversy and, since then, the quality of services has been the subject of rigorous scrutiny.

Political/Administrative register.

A catástrofe ecológica silenciou a fauna local e o ecossistema tem lutado para recuperar seu equilíbrio desde então.

The ecological catastrophe silenced the local fauna and the ecosystem has been struggling to regain its balance since then.

Environmental/Poetic nuance.

A renúncia do primeiro-ministro deixou um vácuo de poder e a instabilidade política tem sido a norma desde então.

The prime minister's resignation left a power vacuum and political instability has been the norm since then.

Metaphorical 'vácuo de poder'.

O paradigma estético foi desafiado pela vanguarda artística e a percepção do belo tem sofrido mutações constantes desde então.

The aesthetic paradigm was challenged by the artistic avant-garde and the perception of beauty has undergone constant mutations since then.

Art criticism and philosophical terminology.

Common Collocations

e, desde então,

nunca mais desde então

muito mudou desde então

desde então tem sido

trabalha lá desde então

desde então, nada

desde então, sempre

desde então, todos os dias

desde então, apenas

desde então, raramente

Common Phrases

Desde então, tudo mudou.

— Used to emphasize a complete transformation after a specific event.

Eles ganharam na loteria. Desde então, tudo mudou.

Não o vejo desde então.

— A standard way to say you haven't seen someone since a specific time.

Ele saiu da cidade em 2015. Não o vejo desde então.

Desde então, nada foi igual.

— Similar to 'everything changed', but more dramatic or nostalgic.

O mestre partiu e, desde então, nada foi igual na escola.

Tem sido assim desde então.

— Confirms that a current situation started at a past point and remains the same.

A regra foi criada em maio e tem sido assim desde então.

Desde então, ele nunca mais...

— Used to describe a permanent cessation of an action.

Ele caiu do cavalo e, desde então, nunca mais montou.

As coisas melhoraram desde então.

— Positive progress report following an intervention.

Contratamos um novo gerente e as coisas melhoraram desde então.

Desde então, sou outro homem.

— A common idiom for personal growth or radical change.

Fiz aquela viagem e, desde então, sou outro homem.

Desde então, só problemas.

— Informal way to say that only bad things have happened since a point.

Comprei esse carro usado e, desde então, só problemas.

Desde então, vivemos em paz.

— Indicates the start of a harmonious period.

O conflito acabou e, desde então, vivemos em paz.

Desde então, ele não para.

— Describes someone who has been very active or busy since an event.

Ele abriu a empresa e, desde então, ele não para.

Often Confused With

desde então vs desde que

'Desde que' requires a following clause (verb/subject), while 'desde então' is a standalone phrase.

desde então vs então

'Então' by itself means 'so' or 'then', while 'desde então' specifically means 'since then'.

desde então vs até então

'Até então' means 'until then', indicating the end of a period, not the start.

Idioms & Expressions

"De lá para cá, muita água rolou."

— A lot has happened since then; much time has passed with many events.

Eles se separaram há dez anos. De lá para cá, muita água rolou.

informal

"Desde então, é só ladeira abaixo."

— Things have only gotten worse since that moment.

O time perdeu o craque e, desde então, é só ladeira abaixo.

slang/informal

"Desde então, ele sumiu do mapa."

— He disappeared or hasn't been heard from since then.

Ele viajou para o Alasca e, desde então, sumiu do mapa.

informal

"Desde então, virou outra história."

— The situation became completely different or entered a new phase.

Eles receberam o investimento e, desde então, virou outra história.

informal

"Desde então, não quer outra vida."

— He is so happy with the new situation that he doesn't want anything else.

Ele começou a trabalhar de casa e, desde então, não quer outra vida.

informal

"Desde então, caiu no esquecimento."

— It has been forgotten since that time.

A lei foi aprovada mas, desde então, caiu no esquecimento.

neutral

"Desde então, é pregar no deserto."

— Since then, it's like talking to people who don't listen (fruitless effort).

Tentei avisá-los, mas desde então é pregar no deserto.

informal

"Desde então, ele está com a corda toda."

— Since then, he has been full of energy or very active.

Ele ganhou o prêmio e, desde então, está com a corda toda.

informal

"Desde então, não prega o olho."

— Since then, he hasn't been able to sleep.

O bebê nasceu e, desde então, ele não prega o olho.

informal

"Desde então, é pão pão, queijo queijo."

— Since then, things have been very clear and direct (no nonsense).

Mudamos a gestão e, desde então, é pão pão, queijo queijo.

informal

Easily Confused

desde então vs depois

Both relate to time after an event.

'Depois' is just 'after'; 'desde então' is 'from that moment until now'.

Depois eu fui embora. (Afterward I left). Desde então, estou em casa. (Since then, I've been home).

desde então vs daí

Both can mean 'from then'.

'Daí' is often used as 'and then' or 'so', whereas 'desde então' is purely temporal.

Ele caiu, e daí? (He fell, so what?). Ele caiu e, desde então, manca. (He fell and has limped since then).

desde então vs desde logo

Both start with 'desde'.

'Desde logo' means 'immediately' or 'right away'.

Desde logo, ele aceitou. (He accepted right away).

desde então vs desde já

Both refer to a starting point.

'Desde já' means 'from this moment on' (usually in the present).

Agradeço desde já. (I thank you in advance/from now).

desde então vs entretanto

Sounds like 'então'.

'Entretanto' means 'however' or 'meanwhile'.

Ele saiu; entretanto, esqueceu as chaves. (He left; however, he forgot the keys).

Sentence Patterns

[Event]. Desde então, [Simple Present].

Eu casei. Desde então, sou feliz.

[Event] e, desde então, [Negative Verb].

Ele viajou e, desde então, não ligou.

[Event] e, desde então, [Present Perfect].

O preço subiu e, desde então, tenho gasto mais.

Desde então, [Subject] tem se [Past Participle].

Desde então, ela tem se dedicado ao trabalho.

[Complex Sentence]; desde então, [Passive Voice].

A lei foi revogada; desde então, novas normas foram criadas.

Assistimos, desde então, a um [Noun Phrase].

Assistimos, desde então, a um declínio cultural.

Any

[Verb] muito desde então.

As coisas mudaram muito desde então.

Any

Desde então, nunca mais [Verb].

Desde então, nunca mais comi carne.

Word Family

Nouns

então (the then/that time - rarely used as a noun but possible in philosophy)

doravante

outrora

entrementes

todavia

entanto

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in all forms of Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Desde então eu saí da escola... → Eu saí da escola e, desde então, trabalho aqui.
You can't start with 'Desde então' if you haven't mentioned the event yet.
Desde então que... → Desde que...
Adding 'que' after 'desde então' is grammatically incorrect. Choose one or the other.
Desde então, farei isso amanhã. → A partir de amanhã, farei isso.
'Desde então' is for the past. It cannot be used for future intentions.
Desde então daquela data. → Desde aquela data.
This is redundant. 'Então' already represents 'aquela data'.
Ele viajou e desde então ele trabalhou. → Ele viajou e, desde então, tem trabalhado.
The simple past 'trabalhou' suggests the work is finished. Use the present perfect for ongoing action.

Tips

Comma Rule

Always put a comma after 'Desde então' when it starts a sentence. It helps the reader transition from the time frame to the action.

Variety

Try using 'a partir de então' if you want to emphasize the change that occurred, rather than just the passage of time.

Pronunciation

Make sure to nasalize the 'ão'. If you don't, people might not understand the word 'então' correctly.

Antecedent

Never start a conversation with 'Desde então' unless you have already established the past event you are referring to.

Synonyms

In Portugal, listen for 'desde essa altura'. It's the local favorite and means exactly the same thing.

Economy of Words

Use 'desde então' to avoid repeating long phrases like 'desde o momento em que a empresa foi fundada'.

News Clues

In news broadcasts, 'desde então' often signals the 'consequences' section of a report. Listen for it to catch the main impact of an event.

No 'Que'

Remind yourself: 'Desde então' stands alone. 'Desde que' needs a friend (a clause).

The Bridge

Think of it as a bridge. One side is the past event, the other side is now. The bridge is 'desde então'.

Business Use

In business emails, use it to describe project progress: 'O projeto iniciou em março e, desde então, cumprimos todos os prazos.'

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DESDE' as 'DAYS' (since those days) and 'ENTÃO' as 'THEN'. 'Days since then' = 'Desde então'.

Visual Association

Imagine a timeline with a big red pin on a past date. An arrow starts at that pin and stretches all the way to a person standing in the 'Present' box.

Word Web

Tempo Passado Continuidade História Mudança Memória Cronologia Duração

Challenge

Write three sentences about things that changed in your life after you started learning Portuguese, using 'desde então' in each.

Word Origin

From the Vulgar Latin 'de ex de' (desde) and 'in tunc' (então). 'Desde' combines 'de' (from) and 'ex' (out of) to emphasize the starting point. 'Então' comes from 'in' (in) and 'tunc' (then), pointing to a specific moment.

Original meaning: Literally 'from out of in that time'.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral temporal marker.

English speakers often use 'ever since' which is slightly more emphatic than 'desde então', but 'desde então' covers both 'since then' and 'ever since'.

Used frequently in the lyrics of Amália Rodrigues (Fado queen). Common in the historical novels of José Saramago. A key phrase in news reports about the 1974 revolution in Portugal.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Personal History

Mudei de cidade e, desde então...
Conheci minha esposa e, desde então...
Comecei a trabalhar e, desde então...
Perdi o contato e, desde então...

News and Media

A lei mudou e, desde então...
O crime ocorreu e, desde então...
A economia caiu e, desde então...
O presidente viajou e, desde então...

Professional/Business

O projeto foi aprovado e, desde então...
Houve um erro e, desde então...
As vendas subiram e, desde então...
A empresa cresceu e, desde então...

Health/Medical

Senti uma dor e, desde então...
Fiz a cirurgia e, desde então...
Parei de fumar e, desde então...
Tomei o remédio e, desde então...

Storytelling/Literature

O rei morreu e, desde então...
O segredo foi revelado e, desde então...
A guerra acabou e, desde então...
O herói partiu e, desde então...

Conversation Starters

"O que mudou na sua rotina desde então (que você começou a aprender português)?"

"Você já visitou um lugar e, desde então, quis morar lá?"

"Houve algum livro que você leu e, desde então, mudou sua forma de pensar?"

"Desde então, como tem sido sua experiência morando nesta cidade?"

"Sua vida melhorou muito desde então (que você mudou de emprego)?"

Journal Prompts

Pense em um evento marcante do ano passado. Como sua vida tem sido desde então?

Descreva uma decisão difícil que você tomou. O que aconteceu desde então?

Reflita sobre uma amizade antiga. Como vocês mudaram desde então?

Escreva sobre um hábito que você abandonou. Como você se sente desde então?

Imagine que você ganhou um grande prêmio. O que você faria desde então?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'desde então' is strictly for looking back at a past event and its subsequent duration. For the future, use 'daqui em diante' or 'a partir de agora'.

It is equally common and used in the same way in all Portuguese-speaking countries, making it a very safe and useful phrase to learn.

If it starts the sentence, a comma is highly recommended for clarity and correct formal style. In the middle of a sentence, it is often set off by commas as well.

'Desde então' is the standard, neutral form. 'De lá para cá' is more idiomatic and informal, often used in casual conversation to mean 'from that time to this moment'.

No, that is a common mistake. If you want to use 'que', you should use 'desde que' (e.g., 'desde que ele saiu'). 'Desde então' should not be followed by 'que'.

'Desde então' is the most direct translation. If you want more emphasis, you can say 'desde aquele exato momento' or 'desde então, sem interrupção'.

Yes, it is very common at the end: 'Muitas coisas mudaram desde então.' This provides a nice rhythmic close to a thought.

It is always 'desde então' (one word for 'desde'). 'Dês' is a form of the verb 'dar' (to give) and is not used here.

Usually the Present Indicative for ongoing states ('mora lá') or the Present Perfect for repeated actions ('tem trabalhado').

It is neutral. It is perfectly fine in a casual chat but also completely appropriate for a formal report or a book.