seit — meaning in English: since

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fahren

nach

seit

Ich

einer

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use 'seit' in everyday conversations to indicate a starting point in time, often when discussing past events that continue into the present. For instance, you might hear someone say, 'Ich wohne seit 2010 hier' ('I've lived here since 2010') when talking about their current residence in a casual setting.

Synonyms & nuances

'Seit' can be closely related to 'von...an' (from...on) in certain contexts, but 'seit' has a broader application in indicating duration from a specific point in the past to the present. When you want to specify a starting point in time with a continuous effect, 'seit' is your go-to choice.

Culture

'Seit' has roots in Old High German, deriving from 'ziti,' which means 'time.' This word not only marks the passage of time but also reflects how Germans value punctuality and clarity in communication. Interestingly, 'seit' is used in conjunction with the perfect tense in German, creating a unique way of expressing time-related situations that often baffles English speakers.

FAQ

Q.How do I use 'seit' in a sentence?

'Seit' is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that continues to the present. For example, you can say 'Ich lerne Deutsch seit einem Jahr' ('I have been learning German for a year').

Q.What is the difference between 'seit' and 'für'?

'Seit' is used to mark a specific point in time when an action started, while 'für' indicates a duration of time. For example, 'Ich arbeite seit zwei Jahren hier' (I have been working here for two years) versus 'Ich arbeite hier für zwei Jahre' (I will work here for two years).

Q.Are there any common mistakes with 'seit'?

A common mistake is to use 'seit' with a future time reference, which is incorrect. Remember, 'seit' should only be used for actions or states that started in the past and continue up to now.

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