since
gb/sˈɪns/ us/sˈɪns/
A2
English
~ 700
amióta, óta, mivel, azóta
A2
1
Usage pattern:
since [time/event], [clause]
I have lived here since 2010.
2010 óta élek itt.
She has been my friend since we were in school.
Iskoláskorunk óta a barátom.
It has been raining since this morning.
He hasn't called me since last week.
They've been married since June.
Learner examples
I have worked here since 2018.
2018 óta dolgozom itt.
She has studied English since last year.
Tavaly óta tanul angolul.
We have known each other since school.
It has been cold since Monday.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'since' with 'for'. 'Since' is used with a specific point in time, while 'for' is used with a length of time.
Meaning
from a past time until now
Collocations
since then
|since childhood
|since last year
|ever since
|since birth
Synonyms
from the time that (More formal and explicit way of expressing the same time relationship)
Antonyms
until (Indicates up to a point in time but not beyond)
Themes
time
|grammar
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something started in the past and is still true now.
Used to indicate that something has been true from a specific time in the past up to the present.
B1
2
mivel
A2
Usage pattern:
since [reason], [result]
Since you're not busy, can you help me?
Mivel nem vagy elfoglalt, tudnál segíteni?
Since we have no money, we can't go on holiday.
Mivel nincs pénzünk, nem tudunk elmenni nyaralni.
I decided to walk, since it was a nice day.
Learner examples
Since it is cold, I will wear a coat.
Mivel hideg van, felveszek egy kabátot.
Since you are here, let's start the meeting.
Mivel itt vagy, kezdjük el a megbeszélést.
We stayed inside since it was raining.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this causal use with the time-related use of 'since'. Context determines meaning.
Meaning
because; given that
Collocations
since you asked
|since we're here
|since it's raining
Synonyms
because (Direct equivalent in most contexts)
Antonyms
despite (Indicates contrast rather than cause)
Themes
logic
|argumentation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to mean 'because'.
Used to introduce a reason for something.
A2
3
óta
A2
Usage pattern:
since [time/event]
I haven't seen him since Monday.
Hétfő óta nem láttam.
She's been working here since 2015.
2015 óta dolgozik itt.
We've known each other since college.
Learner examples
I have lived here since 2020.
2020 óta élek itt.
We have been friends since high school.
Középiskola óta barátok vagyunk.
He has worked at the company since May.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'since' with a period of time instead of a point in time, which is incorrect.
Meaning
from a past time to now
Collocations
since Monday
|since 1999
|since yesterday
Synonyms
from (Can sometimes replace 'since', but 'from' does not always imply continuation to now)
Antonyms
until (Marks the end of a period instead of its start)
Themes
time
|grammar
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Showing that something started at a certain time and is still true now.
Indicating that something began at a particular time in the past and continues until now.
B1
4
azóta
A2
I met her in 2010 and have seen her twice since.
2010-ben találkoztam vele, és azóta kétszer láttam.
He left home in 2005 and hasn't returned since.
2005-ben elment otthonról, és azóta sem tért vissza.
The law was passed in 1998 and has been updated twice since.
Learner examples
I saw her last week and have talked to her twice since.
Múlt héten láttam, és azóta kétszer beszéltem vele.
We moved here in 2019 and have been happy ever since.
2019-ben költöztünk ide, és azóta is boldogok vagyunk.
He started the job in March and has worked hard since.
Meaning
after then until now
Collocations
ever since
|long since
Synonyms
afterward ('Afterward' refers to after an event but not necessarily continuing to the present)
Antonyms
beforehand (Refers to the time before an event)
Themes
time
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
From a time in the past until now.
At some time after a stated past event and continuing until the present.
Grammar
Dictionary form
since
IPA
GB/sˈɪns/
US/sˈɪns/
Syllables & stress
since (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (since)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: since
- Plural: sinces
Word family
Forms
sinces
noun
Expressions
ever since
1/ˈɛvɚ sˈɪns/
fixed phrase
continuously from then until now
From a certain past event up to now, without stopping.
Examples
- We met in college and have been close friends ever since.
- She won the championship last year and has been famous ever since.
long since
1/lˈɔŋ sˈɪns/
fixed phrase
happened long ago
Something happened a long time ago and is not recent.
Examples
- He has long since left the city.
- That shop has long since closed down.
since when
1/sˈɪns wˈɛn/
fixed phrase
from what time onward?
Used to ask when something started happening or being true, often showing surprise.
Examples
- Since when do you like jazz?
- Since when have you been working here?