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Learn about the Spanish desde que and hasta que
Desde que (since...) and Hasta que (until...) are used in Spanish to talk about the beginning and the end of an action respectively.
They are subordinate sentences that depend on a main clause.
Desde que
We can use desde que with the indicative or the subjunctive.
Desde que + indicative
We generally use desde que with the indicative in both present and past tenses. For example:
Siempre pienso en ti desde que me despierto.I always think of you from the moment I wake up.
No juego al fútbol desde que me torcí el tobillo.I haven't played football since I twisted my ankle.
Siempre he sido muy inquieta desde que era niña.I've always been very restless since I was a child.
Desde que + subjunctive
When talking about past actions we can also use it with the subjunctive, but this makes it sound more formal.
For example:
No juego al fútbol desde que me torciera el tobillo.I haven't played football since I twisted my ankle.
When using desde que expressing an action that will take place in the future, we then use it with the subjunctive, also as a subordinate clause. For example:
Mañana, desde que aterrices hasta que llegues al hotel habrán pasado un par de horas.Tomorrow, from the moment you land until you arrive at the hotel, a couple of hours will have passed.
Tendremos tiempo de organizar la fiesta desde que los niños se hayan ido al colegio.We will have time to organise the party from the moment when the children have gone to school.
Hasta que
We can use hasta que with the indicative or the subjunctive.
Hasta que + indicative
When we are talking about present and past events. For example:
A veces espero a mi hija despierta hasta que llega a casa.Sometimes I wait up for my daughter until she gets home.
He tenido estos pantalones durante años, hasta que se han rajado.I've had these trousers for years, until they ripped.
Mi abuelo trabajó en la oficina de Correos hasta que murió.My grandfather worked at the post office until he died.
Hasta que + subjunctive
When we are talking about a future event that is yet to happen. For example:
No voy a permitir que mi hijo use Instagram hasta que tenga 15 o 16 años.I am not letting my son use Instagram until he is 15 or 16.
Mañana, desde que aterrices hasta que llegues al hotel habrán pasado un par de horas.Tomorrow, from the moment you land until you arrive at the hotel, a couple of hours will have passed.
Remember, in Spanish we cannot omit "que" - these are all subordinate sentences and "que" is required. This would be incorrect:
No me despiertes hasta haya dormido al menos 4 horas.
Don't wake me up until I have slept a minimum of 4 hours.
Desde me levanto hasta me acuesto estoy pensando en ti.
Since I wake up until I go to bed I think of you.
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