Understanding “desde” in Portuguese
“Desde” is commonly used to indicate the starting point of an action or situation that began in the past and continues into the present. It answers the question “since when?” and is typically followed by a specific date, time, or event.
How to Use “desde”
You use “desde” to specify when something started, and it emphasizes that the action is still ongoing. It is equivalent to “since” in English.
- Example: Estou aqui desde 2015. (I have been here since 2015.)
- Example: Ele mora em Lisboa desde janeiro. (He has lived in Lisbon since January.)
Exploring “há” in Portuguese
“Há” is used to indicate the duration of time that has passed since an action started. It answers the question “for how long?” and is usually followed by a period of time (such as days, months, or years). It is similar to “for” or “ago” in English, depending on the context.
How to Use “há”
You use “há” to express how long something has been happening or how long ago something occurred.
- Example: Estou aqui há cinco anos. (I have been here for five years.)
- Example: Ele saiu há dez minutos. (He left ten minutes ago.)
Key Differences Between “desde” and “há”
Although both “desde” and “há” relate to time, they are not interchangeable. The main difference lies in the type of information each provides:
- Desde refers to the specific starting point of an action that continues into the present.
- Há refers to the duration of time that has passed since the action started or the time that has elapsed since a past event.
Mixing up these terms can lead to confusion, so it’s important to use them accurately.
Comparative Examples
- Estou em Portugal desde 2020. (I have been in Portugal since 2020.) — Here, “desde” marks the starting point.
- Estou em Portugal há três anos. (I have been in Portugal for three years.) — Here, “há” indicates the duration.
Tips to Master “desde” and “há”
- When you want to specify the starting point, use “desde.”
- When you want to talk about the duration or how long ago something happened, use “há.”
- Practice by translating sentences from your native language to Portuguese and double-check with a platform like Talkpal for feedback.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A frequent mistake for learners is to use “há” when the starting point is meant, or “desde” to indicate duration. Remember:
- Do not say Estou aqui desde cinco anos (incorrect). The correct form is Estou aqui há cinco anos.
- Do not say Estou aqui há 2015 (incorrect). The correct form is Estou aqui desde 2015.
Practice Makes Perfect
Getting comfortable with “desde” and “há” takes practice. Try writing your own sentences or use interactive tools like those offered on Talkpal to reinforce your learning. Listen carefully to native speakers and note how they use these expressions in different contexts.
Conclusion
Mastering the difference between “desde” and “há” is essential for expressing time-related ideas accurately in Portuguese. “Desde” marks the starting point of ongoing actions, while “há” indicates the duration or the time that has passed. With regular practice and resources such as Talkpal, you can confidently use both expressions and sound more like a native speaker. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find these tricky temporal terms become second nature!
